All you need to know, in quickie form. about the Red Sox' 6-2 win over the Orioles, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Record-breaking win: After coming close to historic wins in each of the previous two nights in Cleveland before losing both times in the 11th inning, the Red Sox saved win No. 106 for the home fans at Fenway, and in so doing, broke a record that had lasted 106 seasons. Both Alex Cora and the longest-tenured player on the roster, Dustin Pedroia, addressed the team postgame and advised the players to soak in the moment. "Unreal,'' gushed Cora. "We never talk about records or stuff like that. You just talk to (the players) before the season about showing up every day and playing the game the right way. They've done it for a while. They're very consistent and we're proud of them.'' The win also wrapped up the best record in baseball and marks the first time since 1946 that the Sox have had baseball's best record to themselves (They tied for the honor in both 2007 and 2013). "It means you're going down in history,'' observed Mookie Betts. "Your name's a part of something special, especially in this organization that's been around so long. So, it's a blessing to be a part of something like this.''
Eovaldi stakes his claim: There's some uncertainty about the back end of the Red Sox rotation for the postseason. It's a given that Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello will represent the Big 3 for the Sox, but the fourth spot could go to either Nathan Eovaldi or Eduardo Rodriguez. The spot may be determined by the opponent, or it could be decided by who pitches best here in the final week. Either way, Eovaldi made a strong case for himself with five innings of one-run ball with four hits allowed, no walks and 10 strikeouts. "Nate was awesome,'' said Cora. "He used his fastball in different spots. He threw his (split-finger fastball), some changeups, he was up in the zone, pitched inside. It was one of those outings where, all of a sudden, you look up and he has 10 strikeouts.'' Eovaldi has allowed just one run over his last 11 innings. How -- or when -- he's used isn't important to him. "I'm not sure what my role will be,'' he said. "Whenever I take the ball, I'll try to do my best.''
Betts keeps mashing: Coming into the game, Betts was on a hot streak with eight hits over his previous two games including four doubles and two homers. He kept up that pace early Monday night with a two-run homer in the second, followed by a single, a stolen base and a run scored in the third before going hitless in his final two plate appearances. "It comes in waves,'' shrugged Betts of his recent stretch, "so I'll just ride this one.'' If nothing else, Betts has demonstrated that the soreness he felt in his right side eight days isn't hampering him at the plate. "He impacts the game like no other player in the big leagues,'' said Cora. "You see the numbers. He's locked in right now. It seems like every at-bat, he's ready to hit. He's been great.''
TURNING POINT
Given the ineptitude of the Orioles -- who lost for the 111th time -- a multiple-run lead against them is virtually insurmountable. So, when the Sox managed to score four times in the bottom of the second against starter Dylan Bundy -- on a run-scoring double by Brock Holt, an RBI single from Christian Vazquez and a two-run homer by Betts -- the game was effectively over before the third inning even began.
TWO UP
Eduardo Rodriguez: Making his first relief appearance of the season and second of his career, Rodriguez pitched two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit while striking out two.
Xander Bogaerts: He was able to inch closer to the 100-RBI threshold with a run-scoring single in the fourth, giving him 96 RBI for the season. He later added another single in the sixth.
ONE DOWN
Joe Kelly: It's not getting any better for the veteran reliever. He came in to start the eighth and promptly allowed a hit, then walked two sandwiched around a strikeout.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We should call time out and enjoy this one. We know what we have to do in October. But to be able to do this, at this level, in this division ... for us to do it is amazing.''
— Cora on setting the franchise record for wins.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- In games in which they score five runs this season, the Red Sox are 78-10
- Thirty of the Red Sox' 106 wins have come against Toronto and Baltimore
- The Sox are 18-2 in their last 20 games against the Orioles.
- This marks the fifth time in franchise history the Sox will have sole possession of the best record in MLB and first time since 1946.
- In five appearances at Fenway since joining the Red Sox, Nathan Eovaldi is 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA.