The Baltimore Orioles took two of three from the Boston Red Sox and left Fenway Park in first place in the hotly contested A.L. East division race.
With a record of (38-27) they hold a one game lead over the pesky (37-28) Red Sox.
The last time they played Boston they split a four game series at Camden Yards.They also took two of three from the Yankees and swept the World Champion KC Royals to finish their last home stand 7-3.
Then they headed north of the border and dropped three of four to the Toronto Blue Jays. Next, they met the Red Sox for three games.
After splitting the first two games, the Birds won the series-clinching finale, 5-1.
The Oriole’s rotation got a real shot in the arm as struggling starter Tyler Wilson pitched just about the best game of his young career.
He struck out six while allowing three hits and walking one in a career-best eight innings of work. He threw 100 pitches, 65 for strikes while improving to (3-5) with a 4,16 ERA.
The offense was provided by center fielder Adam Jones. He hit his 13th homer, a two-run shot in the third inning and also had an RBI double.
The Birds had another pitching gem in the first game of the series, a 3-2 Baltimore victory.
Their ace, Chris Tillman struck out seven while allowing five hits and two walks. He gave up one run in seven innings of work. He improved to (9-1) and lowered his ERA to 2.87.
Closer Zach Britton came in to collect his 20th straight save.
Manny Machado’s first inning two-run homer, his 17th of the season, gave Baltimore an early lead and an insurance run, a solo homer by Jonathan Schoop in the eighth inning proved to be the difference in the game as Tillman won the battle of the Aces by beating Boston’s David Price.
The middle game of the series went to the Red Sox, 6-4.
Oriole’s starter Kevin Gausman was undone by a five run third inning.
The O’s made a game of it. After being down 6-0 they rallied for four late runs powered by a two-run homer from Adam Jones but 6-4 was as close as they would get to a series sweep.
