Final: Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 - Red Sox lose in extras to Orioles

The Red Sox lose in extra innings to the Baltimore Orioles, splitting the season series with their AL East rival.

Just like in yesterday's loss, Boston struggled at the plate through the majority of this game. Facing Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano, the Red Sox recorded just five hits in five innings. They had multiple innings with multiple runners on base, but they failed to drive home runner with Sugano on the mound.

In the third inning, the Red Sox scored their first run off a balk. Jackson Holiday committed an error at second base, and with two runners in scoring position, Sugano was called for a balk, sending the runner from third home.

Walker Buehler pitched four consecutive innings of scoreless baseball keeping Boston in front, but he struggled to limit runners from reaching base. In the fifth inning, Buehler put two runners on base to start the inning, and was taken out of the game. Justin Wilson came in to get the Red Sox out of the jam, but Ryan Mountcastle delivered an RBI single which tied the game.

Wilson then allowed an RBI double to Colton Cowser and was also taken out of the game. Greg Weissert became the third pitcher used by the Red Sox this inning, and he allowed Baltimore's third run off a wild pitch that brought Mountcastle home from third.

The Red Sox went completely cold at the plate through the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. They went 1-2-3 in each of those innings, struggling to even reach base against Baltimore's bullpen. In the eighth inning, the Red Sox had an opportunity to tie the game with the bases loaded and no outs, but then Rico Garcia got the Orioles out of the jam striking out three consecutive hitters.

In the eighth and ninth innings, Jordan Hicks and Brennan Bernardino pitched scoreless outings keeping the game at 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Down to their final three outs, the Red Sox finally showed life. After Romy Gonzalez walked to start the inning, Nathaniel Lowe tied the game with a two-run home run to right field in his first start with Boston.

The Red Sox had a chance to win the game in the same inning. Reliever Yaramil Hiraldo walked three consecutive batters and loaded the bases, but Trevor Story grounded out to third base, which sent the game into extra innings.

In the 10th inning, Aroldis Chapman kept the Orioles at three runs, striking out two batters in his appearance. Yet again, the Red Sox had a prime opportunity to win the game with the bases loaded, but they failed to capitalize. With one out, Abraham Toro grounded into a double play, extending the game another inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched the 11th inning, but the Orioles were able to bring the ghost runner home to take the lead. With a runner at third base, Samuel Basallo hit a soft ground ball down the right field line, and the Red Sox couldn't make a play at home plate.

Down one run, Boston failed to drive in the ghost runner at third base, and the Orioles came away with the victory.

In this two-game series, the Red Sox completely struggled offensively. The pitching in this game kept the game competitive, but only recording one extra-base hit and failing to score runs with the bases loaded made it difficult to win the game.

The Red Sox have an off day tomorrow, then they'll travel to New York to play a crucial four-game series against the New York Yankees.

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WHO: Red Sox (68-58) vs Orioles (58-67)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (0-1), (4-4)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Walker Buehler (7-7, 5.43 ERA) vs. RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (10-5, 4.13 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Roman Anthony (L) RF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Jarren Duran (L) CF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Masataka Yoshida (L) LF
Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B
Nathaniel Lowe (L) DH
Abraham Toro (S) 1B
Connor Wong (R) C

SP Walker Buehler

ORIOLES

Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
Luis Vázquez (R) 3B
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Ryan Mountcastle (R) DH
Colton Cowser (L) CF
Coby Mayo (R) 1B
Dylan Beavers (L) RF
Dylan Carlson (S) LF
Alex Jackson (R) C

SP Tomoyuki Sugano

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox play their final game of the season against the Baltimore Orioles with Walker Buehler on the mound.

Boston recalled Brennan Bernardino from Triple A Worcester. Jovani Moran gets sent back down to Triple A due to the move.

Alex Cora is starting Masataka Yoshida in left field for the fourth time this season. Nathaniel Lowe makes his first start playing DH. Ceddanne Rafaela gets scratched for Romy Gonzalez, who gets the start at second base.