Final: Red Sox 2, Orioles 4 - Early picks up loss, Red Sox record only five hits

The Boston Red Sox lose the first game of their series against the Baltimore Orioles 4-2.

Connelly Early entered the game with a 2.95 ERA, but two early home runs gave the Orioles an initial lead that they controlled the remainder of the game.

Despite a sluggish offensive game for Boston, the Red Sox drew first blood in the first inning. Jarren Duran led off the inning with a triple, and Wilyer Abreu brought Duran home with an RBI sac fly.

Following Boston's run, the Orioles combined for four runs in the following three innings. Coby Mayo led off the second inning with a solo home run that barely made it over the Green Monster.

Then in the third inning, Pete Alonso smashed a 400-foot two-run home run to left field which gave Baltimore the lead. The Orioles added a sac fly to their run total in the fourth inning, giving Baltimore a three run lead.

Boston scored its only other run in the fourth inning. Mickey Gasper was the only Red Sox player to record a hit in the inning, but he managed to score Boston's second run from a Marcelo Mayer sac fly RBI.

The Red Sox went blank offensively the remainder of the game. They only recorded five hits on the day, with two of those hits being for extra bases.

Boston will continue its series with Baltimore tomorrow at 6:45 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (25-33) vs Orioles (28-32)
WHEN: 6:45 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (0-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Connelly Early (5-2, 2.95 ERA) vs. RHP Shane Baz (2-5, 4.48 ERA,)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Willson Contreras (R) 1B
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Mickey Gasper (S) C
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
Marcelo Mayer (L) SS
Caleb Durbin (R) 3B

SP Connelly Early

ORIOLES

Taylor Ward (R) LF
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Adley Rutschman (S) C
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Samuel Basallo (L) DH
Coby Mayo (R) 3B
Tyler O'Neill (R) RF
Leody Taveras (S) CF
Blaze Alexander (R) 2B

SP Shane Baz

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox travel back to Fenway to take on the Baltimore Orioles with Connelly Early on the mound.

Garrett Crochet underwent an MRI on Tuesday after experiencing lat (side/back) tightness while throwing last Thursday. He’s still waiting for the results.

 Patrick Sandoval threw a live batting practice at Fenway Park on Tuesday. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Friday. The plan is for him to throw one inning against Buffalo.