Betts hit two home runs, driving in all five of Boston’s runs. Pearce has been in and out of action for the Orioles because of a painful flexor mass strain in his right arm.
Advertisement
He was able to play nine innings of first base on Tuesday, which is obviously a good sign. Right fielder Mookie Betts had come in tonight with career numbers against the Orioles hitting over.400 with six homers and 12 RBI’s from this season alone. The good news is that they’ll do so with a six-game winning streak, in sole possession of the first wild card slot and second place in the AL East thanks only to the Yankees being just completely useless against the Blue Jays.
DODGERS 15, PHILLIES 5: Chase Utley got curtain calls after each of his two home runs, including a grand slam, in his first game in Philadelphia since last season’s trade to Los Angeles. Brad Miller led the way with two home runs and three RBIs, while Evan Longoria collected three hits including a home run and three runs scored.
Bundy got through the fourth inning, but Betts opened the fifth with an infield hit – beating the ball out despite a terrific diving play by third baseman Manny Machado – and Leon launched a ball deep into the flag court to give the Red Sox a four-run lead.
With the rain delay looming, Price was fairly efficient, throwing 84 pitches through six innings.
Orioles: Showalter expects reliever Darren O’Day (rotator cuff strain) to spend the minimum time on the DL and return on August 27.
“He feels comfortable in this ballpark and obviously sees the ball well”, Farrell said.
Orioles: Manager Buck Showalter expects reliever Darren O’Day (rotator cuff strain) to spend the minimum time on the DL and return on August 27.
Kluber (13-8) struck out seven and walked two, allowing his only run on Justin Morenau’s one-out homer in the sixth. In his first appearance on July 25, he threw two innings, allowing one run, two hits and no walks with one strikeout. His counterpart, David Price, looked to carry over the success from his last start, in which he allowed three runs over eight innings with eight strikeouts in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“I mean it’s so close, the separation between the teams”, Davis said.
With the loss, the Orioles (66-53) suffered a two-game series sweep to the Red Sox (67-52), who leapfrogged over Baltimore into second place.
Fernando Salas pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save, and Brett Oberholtzer (3-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth.
NOTES: RHP Chris Tillman will officially start on Saturday versus Houston. “At this point, we’re planning on him starting on Sunday”, Farrell said. OF Joey Rickard (thumb ligament) will be in a splint for 2-3 more weeks before starting baseball activities. The Red Sox needed something positive to happen again, after starter Eduardo Rodriguez left the game with an injury and the bullpen allowed the Orioles to tie the game. Joe Musgrove (1-0, 1.47) faces Kevin Gausman (3-10, 4.04). The Orioles’ 39-19 home record is the best in the AL, but they are 2-4 against Boston at Camden Yards. Red Sox starter David Price was dominating them and Dylan Bundy was giving up hits left and right. He would be eligible for free agency after the World Series if the Cardinals declined a $17 million option for next year and chose to pay a $1 million buyout.
Advertisement
Regardless, when Hanley Ramirez returns Thursday from a three-day leave to attend to a death in the family in the Dominican Republic, manager John Farrell must keep Betts in the middle of the order.
