The Red Sox stretched their winning streak to a season-high three games, racing out to an 8-0 lead before the Baltimore Orioles responded late in an 8-5 Boston victory.
The Sox peppered the Orioles for three homers -- a two-run shot by J.D. Martinez, a three-run blast by Rafael Devers and a solo shot by Xander Bogaerts.
Colten Brewer had his best start with four scoreless innings, followed two more shutout innings from Darwinzon Hernandez, making his 2020 debut.
The Orioles roughed up Josh Osich for two runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth.
WHO: Red Sox (8-18) vs. Baltimore Orioles (12-13)
WHEN: 7:35 p.m.
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
SERIES TO DATE: Red Sox 1-0
SEASON SERIES TO DATE: 2-2
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Colten Brewer (0-1, 4.50) vs. LHP John Means (0-1, 10.57)
TV/RADIO: NESN/ WEEI 92.7 FM
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Pillar CF
Devers 3B
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Vazquez C
Verdugo LF
Chavis 1B
Bradley CF
Peraza 2B
ORIOLES
Alberto 2B
Santander RF
Nunez 1B
Severino DH
Ruiz 3B
Mountcastle LF
Sisco C
Valaika SS
Mullins CF
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
10:14 Third homer off Osich in an inning and two-thirds. He's really struggled. Can't see him staying on the big league roster much longer. They've got a lot of roster moves to make now that Workman and Hembree have been dealt, and would expect that Osich will be optioned out.
9:20 Two-run single for Michael Chavis, up the middle, scoring Christian Vazquez (single) and Verdugo (double)
8:57 It's fair to say that Rafael Devers is locked in. What a shot into the CF bleachers, measured at 447 feet. Second homer in the last three days and fifth extra-base hit in the last nine games.
8:43 Terrific diving catch by Kevin Pillar who goes sprawling in foul territory and holds onto a tailing flyball by Pedro Severino, ending a 10-pitch effort and converting an out for Brewer.
8:28 Strong three innings from Colten Brewer, who allows three hits but no runs. He's at 49 pitches. That could be it, or, he could get one more.
8:15 J..D. Martinez goes deep to straightaway center and for the second time in as many nights, the Red Sox are up 3-0 in the third inning.
8:04 Nicely turned double play, started by Jose Peraza, who dishes a quick feed to Bogaerts for the start of a 4-6-3 double play. Peraza has been erratic at times and his range hasn't been great, but he's very smooth on the turn.
7:57 Alex Verdugo extends his hitting streak to 12 games with an opposite-field single.
7:54 Xander Bogaerts delivers a quick lead for the Red Sox in the top of the second, turning on a changeup over the middle of the plate and belting it into the Baltimore bullpen.
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- With trade winds swirling around a few Red Sox relievers -- including RHPs Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree, both linked to the Phils -- Roenicke wouldn't say whether he's under any special orders to avoid using certain players tonight. "I can't comment on things like that,'' said Roenicke. "I know this is the time of year when a lot goes on, a lot of speculation, a lot of rumors, and certainly, if it's in-house with our guys, I would never make a comment on it. Until things happen, I can't say anything. I'm planning right now to go along for this game how we always so and hopefully there is a close situation and I use the same guys that I always do.''
- Roenicke again noted that he hopes trade rumors are based on substantive reporting and not just speculation, since it can impact players and serve as a distraction. He said that one Red Sox player had mentioned today that he had heard himself involved in trade talks. The coach relayed that concern to Roenicke, who in turn checked with the front office and determined that that player's name had not surfaced. Roenicke then sought to assure the player. "It's really hard on players,'' said Roenicke. "I don't want them to think 'Anytime, any day I could be moving on,' when it really isn't true.
- "I get it, because of the way we've played so far (that our players are going to be talked about in deals),'' said Roenicke. "It's an important time for an organization because there are some big time decisions that need to be made about the future and where you're headed. But it's a really uncomfortable time for a lot of players.''
- Roenicke said LHP Darwinzon Hernandez could be used as the first pitcher out of the bullpen behind starter Colten Brewer. Roenicke said he would prefer that Hernandez to come into a clean inning, and would likely limit him to two innings.
- The Red Sox have an off-day Monday, but Roenicke was unsure whether starters Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez would start on their normal day or get an additional day of rest. "There may be a few chances that could be made. We still have a couple of guys in our taxi squad that we're stretching out and maybe they slip back into the rotation or maybe that long role.
- Alex Verdugo on playing without fans: "It's pretty normal for the first part of the game,'' he said. "I think you really notice it later in the innings. If it's a close ballgame and your relievers are coming in to stop big innings in the eighth or ninth. I think that's when you really notice that the crowd's not there. A lot of times those later innings are usually rocking and the fans are going crazy and that's when they want it the most. That's kind of been the biggest difference. But really, when you're out there, hitting or in the outfield, or at the plate or stealing a base, it's all the same.''
- Verdugo said the team was energized by the last few games. "The whole game yesterday,'' said Verdugo. "It felt like we were in the driver's seat. It felt good. We were in control . It felt normal. Coming into today, we're confident and we're carrying over how he felt yesterday and the day before. We're taking it day-by-day, and trying to go out there and just keep competing.''