All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Orioles, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Sale takes a step back: When Chris Sale struck out 11 in his most recent start while allowing just one run over six innings, he warned that he hadn't figured everything out yet and that there was still plenty of room for improvement. That proved prophetic Monday night when he allowed five runs over five innings to the Orioles. Incredibly, Sale did not record a single strikeout, marking the first time in his career that he'd thrown more than an inning in an outing and failed to record at least one. After the game, Sale was morose, unsure of where to turn next. "Definitely disappointing,'' he said. "A spade's a spade -- I just haven't been there. I've got to figure something out quick. I wish I had more for you, I really do. It sucks to work this hard and get nothing in return. I'm putting in the work, but it's not showing up.'' There seemed to be hints postgame that the Orioles might have known what was coming. That could possibly explain how they've managed 12 runs in eight innings against him this season.
Yoshida continues to be on a roll: After his landmark day in Milwaukee Sunday -- six RBI, including two homers in the same inning -- Masataka Yoshida didn't cool off Monday night in Baltimore. He came to the plate four times and came away with three singles and a walk and has now reached base in six consecutive plate appearances. Of his three singles, two were hit to left and one was hit up the middle, further proof that he's learning to use the whole field. And as for any suggestions that he's not hitting the ball hard, one his hits to left measured at 112 mph, the hardest-hit ball of his major league career. It could be that we look back on that game in Milwaukee as a real turning point, where Yoshida put some things together offensively and used it as a springboard for the rest of the season.
Chang leaves game with wrist injury: Shortstop Yu Chang, who has done a nice job taking over at shortstop, left the game in the seventh inning with what seemed like a serious hand or wrist injury. While swinging and missing at a pitch, Chang grimaced in pain as the training staff came out to examine him. It was determined that he couldn't continue the at-bat -- never a good sign -- and was replaced by Christian Arroyo. Alex Cora had no update postgame and said Chang would be examined further Tuesday, but he didn't sound optimistic. Losing Chang would be a big blow, since it's freed Kiké Hernandez to contribute in either center or second; now, presumably, Hernandez would have to go back to short if Chang is sidelined for an extended period.
TURNING POINT
In the sixth inning, Justin Turner was on first with no outs when Masahiro Yoshida slashed a line drive to left. Being aggressive, Turner made the turn at second and headed for third, hoping to give the Sox runners at the corners, but he was thrown at third -- with the play in front of him. It's fine to push the envelope on the bases sometimes, but that was an unnecessary risk on Turner's part and one he didn't have to take. That's an old saying that players should never make the first out or the third out at third and Turner violated that and potentially took his team out of a big inning.
TWO UP
Rafael Devers: Devers hit his team-leading ninth homer, an absolute rocket that left the stadium entirely and did so at 115 mph.
Alex Verdugo: He had one hit, giving him 30 for the season already, his real contributions came in the field. He made several superb plays in right, including a sliding catch in the corner in the eighth that took away extra bases and saved a run.
TWO DOWN
Kiké Hernandez: After a hot streak that saw him hit .348 in the previous dozen games, Hernandez was 0-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout and a double play.
Jarren Duran: Although he made an outstanding catch in left-center in the second inning, he was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in three plate appearances.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We were displeased from the first inning. Two pitches down in the zone, there was a pitch up in the zone that never got to the plate...I'm probably going to get in trouble if I keep talking, but I wasn't too pleased with it.'' Alex Cora on home plate umpire Junior Valentine's strike zone.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The home run by Triston Casas was his first in 46 at-bats.
* When Connor Wong was thrown out at second in the seventh inning, it marked the first time the Sox had been caught stealing this season after 10 successful attempts.
* The loss was just the third for the Sox in the last 10 head-to-head meetings with the Orioles.
* The setback dropped the Sox to 2-6 in games against AL East opponents.
* The Sox are 3-6 in one-run games this season.
UP NEXT
The two teams play the middle game of their series, with RHP Corey Kluber (0-4, 8.50) vs. RHP Kyle Bradish (1-0, 0.00) as the pitching matchup at 6:35 p.m.