All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox loss to the Orioles, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Bullpen blows up: In a number of their losses on this road trip, Red Sox relievers often saved their worst for last. That's how the team suffered three extra-inning walkoff losses among their seven setbacks on this trip. But on Sunday, they took care of the suspense far earlier. After starter Nick Pivetta faltered in the fifth, Austin Davis allowed a single, a sacrifice fly and a walk, extending the inning. Kutter Crawford, making his first appearance since coming off the ineligible list, allowed a mammoth homer and a walk before play was halted because of weather. Then, following an interminable rain delay, Phillips Valdez couldn't find the plate. He hit his first batter, walked his second and allowed five of the first six hitters he faced to reach base. It wasn't much better the next inning with another walk and a single.
More of the same: The fact that the Sox were trailing by eight until a ninth-inning grand slam gave the loss the look of respectability might make you think that the offense wasn't the culprit. Wrong. There were, once again, a number of chances to score early in the game, but the Sox fumbled them, over and over, as has been the case for much of the first month of the season. In the first inning, they left baserunners stranded at the corner. Same thing in the second inning. In the third inning, they had the bases loaded and two outs and came away with nothing. Fourth inning? First-and-second, with one out, and zippo. They finally got a run in the fifth, but the lead didn't last as the Orioles responded with three of their own in the bottom of the inning. There's no guarantee that things would have changed had the Sox managed two or three runs in the first few innings. But it wouldn't hurt to find out once or twice.
Plawecki shames the rest: It's not a stretch to suggest that Kevin Plawecki, the Red Sox catcher who pitched the bottom of the eighth when the Sox didn't want to further deplete their bullpen, was the most effective relief pitcher the Sox had all afternoon. After allowing a leadoff single off the glove of Rafael Devers, Plawecki, who mixed a 75 mph "fastball'' with a respectable curve, then got three straight flyouts to retire the Orioles. At the very least, Plawecki, who was making his seventh pitching appearance at the big league level, threw strikes and worked quickly -- more than could be said for a few others who preceded him to the mound Sunday at Camden Yards.
TURNING POINT
In a game they lost by four runs, maybe this wouldn't have mattered, but some poor fundamentals stuck out in the second inning. Christian Vazquez was on second when Jaylin Davis rifled a single up the middle. Strangely, Vazquez, perhaps fearing that the ball was going to be fielded by the shortstop, initially broke back for second base before taking off. He had to stop at third, when he should have scored. And, of course, with two outs, Vazquez should have been off on contact and scored easily. But he obviously forgot how many outs there were, and that ultimately cost the Sox an early run.
TWO UP
Jaylin Davis: Getting his first start since joining the Red Sox and playing left field in place of Alex Verdugo, Davis had base hits in each of his first two trips to the plate.
J.D. Martinez: Returning to the lineup after missing the first two games of the series and seven of the last 10, Martinez made his presence felt with two singles and a ninth-inning grand slam.
TWO DOWN
Phillips Valdez: In what was arguably the worst outing by a Red Sox reliever this season, Valdez allowed four runs over two innings while walking two and hitting another as the Orioles pulled away following the rain delay.
Jackie Bradley Jr.: The struggling Bradley hit the ball hard twice, but came away with an 0-for-4 day and worse, he swung at a pitch out of the strike zone with the bases loaded, ending the third inning.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Like I told the guys, re-set tomorrow, enjoy your families, do whatever you have to do to detach yourself from the game and be ready for Tuesday.'' -- Alex Cora
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Phillips Valdez hit a batter, giving him five already this season.
* Rafael Devers had singles in the seventh and ninth, extending his hitting streak to eight straight games.
* The grand slam in the ninth inning for J.D. Martinez was the eighth of his career.
* Kevin Plawecki became the first position player to pitch for the Red Sox this season.
* Valdez was called for a balk in the sixth inning, the second by a Red Sox pitcher in the series.
UP NEXT
After a day off Monday, the Red Sox begin a homestand Tuesday night at 7:10, hosting the Los Angeles Angels. It will be RHP Michael Wacha for the Sox, with the Angels uncertain on their starter.