The Baltimore Orioles took two out of three from Boston, hammering the Red Sox 18-7 in the series finale on “Little League Day” at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The 18 runs against Boston set a club record. The previous mark was 17 set on September 27, 1960. They pounded out 20 hits. They scored in six straight innings, twice scoring six runs in the third and seventh innings. They knocked six extra base hits and were 11 for 20 with runners in scoring position.
Delmon Young led the potent offensive attack going 3-6 with a double and five RBIs. Orioles (9-10) Chris Davis, Steve Pearce and Jimmy Paredes went 3-5, 2-3 and 3-5 with three RBIs apiece. Every starter had a hit except Manny Machado who walked twice and scored two runs. Paredes has been red hot, getting 15 hits in 35 at bats and is hitting a team-high .429.
Just as important, starter Bud Norris (1-2) who really struggled in his first two starts, regained the form that allowed him to win 15 games last year. He gave up seven hits, three runs and struck out two in 6 2/3 innings of work.
Game two of the series was very important for Birds fans as David Lough hit a walk-off solo homer off Boston (10-9) closer Koji Uehara to give the Orioles a dramatic come-from-behind 10th inning 5-4 victory while snapping a depressing five-game losing streak in the process.
Ahead 3-2 in the ninth inning, closer Zach Britton surrendered the tying run with the help of some wacky Red Sox infield hits and a Machado throwing error. Boston took advantage of their good fortune and socked a home run in the 10th inning to take a 4-3 lead. Just as the Birds appeared to be headed to a demoralizing defeat Adam Jones cracked a triple and Davis tied the game with a sacrifice fly allowing Lough to become the hero of the night.
Oriole Starter Wei-Yin Chen (0-1) struck out five, allowed four hits and two runs while working a career-tying eight innings. He now had an ERA of 2.78.
In the first game of the series the game was tied at 4-4 after seven and the usually reliable reliever Darren O’Day was on the hill. As the O’s were trying to snap a four-game losing streak after series losses to the Toronto Blue Jays and the Red Sox on the road, things just continued to go downhill for the Orioles as O’Day served up a chest high pitch that Brock Holt launched over the right field wall for a three-run homer and a 7-4 Boston advantage.
Davis hit a solo homer, his third of the season, in the bottom of the inning but that was as close as Baltimore would get, losing their fifth straight game, 7-5.
Starter Miguel Gonzalez (2-1) gave up eight hits and four runs while striking out one and walking one in six innings of work. He has a 3.42 ERA.
Fortunately, for Birds fans, good news was on the way in the form of a walk-off home run and an incredible offensive explosion by Baltimore’s Big Leaguers for its Little Leaguers. They also have a two-game winning streak and a starting pitching staff that seems to have found its groove again.
Orioles Rout Red Sox article was fun to read post game. Its always good to revel in an O’s victory. Nice article!