All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Orioles, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Sox edge into wild card lead: In the tightly bunched competition for the two wild card spots in the American League, the Red Sox now hold the top spot -- if barely. And, given the daily movement that shapes the race, it could be temporary. By this time tomorrow, they could be in third. But for now, the Red Sox' business-like win over the Orioles has them running just ahead of second-place New York (half game) and third place Toronto (full game). The Sox fell behind briefly in the second, 1-0, but took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own, then never looked back, adding additional runs in three of the next four innings. The loss was 100th of the season for the Orioles and 10 of those have come against the Red Sox, with all 10 coming in the last 11 head-to-head meetings. It might be expected that the Sox will beat up on the Orioles, but as the Yankees found in recent weeks, wins can't be assumed. Baltimore has split the last six games with New York, so the Sox can't take anything -- or any opponent -- for granted.
Bullpen carries that weight: Chris Sale was coming back after not having pitched since Labor Day, so the Sox didn't want to extend him too much. When he got to 79 pitches after five innings, that was plenty and the Sox turned to their relievers. One benefit the Sox have with four off-days in the final two-plus weeks, is that they can move some of their starters into bullpen duty. As such, Garrett Whitlock gave them an inning in relief of Sale, before Hirokazu Sawamura, Matt Barnes and Martin Perez all contributed an inning, with the four combining to allow just two hits and no runs over the final four. In the days to come, the Sox will also have Tanner Houck to help out in the bullpen, since the schedule allows the team to, for now, go with just four starters. Barnes, like Sale, was coming off a COVID-IL stint and while he issued a leadoff walk, got sharper as the eighth inning progressed and liked the life on his fastball, helping him to record two strikeouts. The bullpen was nearly spotless on the recent road trip, and has now allowed just two earned runs over the last 30.1 innings.
TURNING POINT
With the Red Sox leading 4-1 in the sixth, the bases were loaded with one out when Hunter Renfroe stepped to the plate. Renfroe sent a hard line drive to center that Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins tried to catch with a headfirst dive. But the ball tipped off his glove and got past him to the center field wall, allowing all three baserunners to score. The Sox had been firmly in control up to that point, but the three additional runs gave them a lot bigger cushion with three innings to go.
TWO UP
Bobby Dalbec: Dalbec continues to mash the ball -- especially at home -- and blasted a solo belt in the fourth, his 12th homer in his last 28 games.
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo chipped in with three hits and is at .292 for the season, his highest batting average since June 11.
ONE DOWN
Kike Hernandez: The leadoff man continues to slump since returning from the COVID-IL. He was 0-for-3 and is now just 3-for-24 since returning to the active roster.
QUOTE OF NOTE
''I felt like I was kind of making another rehab start with a new team. It was kind of weird.'' - Chris Sale, after his return from COVID.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* After starting the season 10-11 at Fenway, the Sox are 35-18 in their last 53 home games.
* Bobby Dalbec's homer was his 23rd of the year, the seventh-most in a season by a Red Sox rookie.
* Rafael Devers became the third player in franchise history to have multiple seasons of 70 or more extra-base hits before turning 25.
* Red Sox relievers have allowed just one earned run in their last 24 innings.
* Jose Iglesias extended his hitting streak to five games.
UP NEXT: The Red Sox and Orioles play the middle game of the series Saturday at 1:10 p.m. with RHP Nick Pivetta (9-7, 4.55) vs. LHP Zac Lowther (0-2, 9.92).