After averaging nine runs in their most recent road series, the Red Sox came back to Fenway and their offense came back to earth, losing to the Baltimore Orioles, 4-1.
The Sox were shutout for the first eight innings, managing just four hits. A leadoff double by Rafael Devers in the ninth followed by a single from Xander Bogaerts ended the Orioles shutout bid.
The O's took a 3-0 lead in the third on a three-run homer by Renato Nunez, then tacked on an insurance run in the ninth off the Boston bullpen.
WHO: Red Sox (83-76) vs. Baltimore Orioles (52-107)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SEASON SERIES TO DATE: Boston 8-5
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-0, 6.03) vs. RHP Asher Wojciechowski (3-8, 5.31)
TV/RADIO: NESN/ WEEI 93.7
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
10:08 Sharp single to center by Xander Bogaerts scores Devers with the first Red Sox run of the night and gives Bogaerts his 500th career RBI.
10:05 Leadoff double by Rafael Devers gives him 89 extra-base hits and 197 hits for the season.
10:01 The Orioles add on with an insurance run off Marcus Walden as Renato Nunez singles to RF, scoring Austin Hays.
8:48 Eovaldi is done after five innings, having allowed three runs. Typical issues for him: too many walks (four) and a big inning.
8:28 Orioles nicely execute a relay and Sam Travis is erased at the plate on a double off the bullpen wall by Jackie Bradley jr.
8:02 Nathan Eovaldi hangs a curveball to Renato Nunez, who hits a rope into the Monster Seats. That's 30 homers for Nunez and 16 allowed in just 65 innings for Eovaldi.
LINEUPS:
RED SOX
Betts DH
Devers 3b
Bogaerts SS
Moreland 1B
Holt 2b
Travis LF
Bradley CF
Hernandez RF
Centeno c
ORIOLES
Villar SS
Hays CF
Mancini 1B
Smith LF
Nunez DH
Ruiz 3b
Alberto 2B
Stewart RF
Sisco C
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- Both David Price and Chris Sale have rejoined the club. Price underwent a surgical procedure on his wrist Thursday to remove a bothersome cyst. Sale, meanwhile, will soon visit with Dr. James Andrews and will see what sort of affect the PRP shot for his elbow had.
- Manager Alex Cora said that rookie lefty reliever Darwinzon Hernandez won't pitch again, having already topped his previous high in innings. Cora added that while no official consensus has been reached in the organization, he views Hernandez as a reliever going forward.