All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 13-1 loss to the Orioles, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Deja vu for Perez: The season didn't begin well for Martin Perez, back in late July. He was pounded for five runs in five innings in the second game of the season by the Orioles. Lo and behold, his final start wasn't any better, and once again, the Orioles were the opponents. He got shelled for six runs in just four innings for his worst outing of the year, blowing up his ERA from 3.88 to 4.50. It wasn't hard to figure out his problem -- he was around the plate too much with both his fastball and cutter, with predictable results. "He didn't have it today,'' said Ron Roenicke. "The command was just off. Balls were just doing down the middle. He's usually pretty good at (avoiding that).'' Perez didn't miss many bats, with two strikeouts and nine hits allowed, most of them very hard hit. Even some outs were loud. "It's too bad,'' said Roenicke, "because he pitched so well for us, really, for the whole season.''
Familiar problem: On four occasions Thursday night, the Red Sox hit into a groundball double play. That shouldn't be all that surprising since the Sox came into the night with 47 GIDPs, the most of any team in the American League and leaving them third in that department in all of Major League Baseball. In one sense, that number can be a bit misleading, since the more baserunners a team has, the more chances and the more likely they're going to pile up the double plays. And indeed, the Sox went into Thursday with the most hits of any A.L. team. But the number is also indicative of a couple of other things: a general lack of speed, and some issues with situational hitting.
Some in, some out: The Red Sox lost pitcher Domingo Tapia when the hard-throwing reliever was struck on the right bicep on a comebacker by Ramon Urias in the top of the inning. Tapia was able to record the out on an underhand toss to first, but was then removed from the game. He has a contusion and is considered day-to-day, but with just three games remaining in the season, the Sox may not want to push to have him get on the mound. On the other hand, two pitchers who have been sidelined with minor ailments -- Austin Brice and Andrew Triggers -- took part in a simulated game Wednesday and Brice could be ready to be activated and return to action this weekend in Atlanta.
TURNING POINT
Given that the Red Sox were already trailing 8-0 at the time, it's unlikely they had a chance to climbing back into this game. But they did have a shot to make things moderately interesting in the fifth, when they loaded the bases with no outs. However, a double-play ball by Christian Arroyo, while scoring a run, took away any momentum they had and a deep flyout to the warning track in center by Alex Verdugo ended the inning before it could get started.
ONE UP
Rafael Devers: Devers was 0-for-3 at the plate, but turned in the defensive play of the night when he went sprawling to his backhand, scrambled to his feet and threw out Jose Iglesias at first base.
ONE DOWN
Alex Verdugo: Not only did Verdugo go hitless, but he also has a rare misplay of a ball hit to right field, taking the wrong angle to the ball and watching it sail over his head for a run-scoring double.
QUOTE OF NOTE:
"I want to be back next year.'' Martin Perez on his contract status. The Red Sox hold a team option for 2021.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Alex Verdugo saw his 10-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-for-3 night with a walk.
- Michael Chavis recorded the Red Sox' 18th outfield assist when he threw out Ramon Urias at the plate in the second inning.
- Bobby Dalbec has reached safely in 13 of his last 15 games.
- Xander Bogaerts has a season-high eight-game hitting streak.