Farrell had 217 million reasons to configure the rotation so that Price is lined up to start the final game of the season if the Red Sox need a win to clinch a playoff berth or the division title.
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In his seventh consecutive gem, Price dominated the power-packed Orioles for eight innings of a 12-2 throttling in which he was staked to a 5-0 first-inning lead and David Ortiz tied Mickey Mantle for 17th on the all-time home run list with 536.
After winning 12-2 Monday in the series opener, the Red Sox sputtered through Tuesday night. Pedroia reached base for the third time on a Machado error as the Red Sox continued to live on the bases.
“(A five-run deficit) in Fenway Park is nothing”, Shaw said. “We all have that feeling in the clubhouse, out in that dugout”. “The consistency of those guys going out and keeping games under control – whether or not we score a high number of runs or not, we’re in nearly every ballgame”.
Starting pitcher Mat Latos hit a solo home run and Antony Rendon added a three-run shot. Bogaerts hit into a fielder’s choice to bring home Young for the 12th run of the game. In the second inning, Chris Davis did what he does best by hitting a home run on top of the green monster to cut the Red Sox lead to 5-1. The Sox offense as a whole was on fire last night scoring in every single run except for the 8th inning.
– Joe Kelly worked the fifth and six innings and posted an identical line to Hembree, allowing no runs one one hit while walking one and striking out two. “I was trying to get in on some of those guys and the ball was just shooting back over toward the middle of the plate”.
“It’s pretty frustrating”, Pomeranz said. Those are both good things, although it remains to be seen whether Dylan Bundy being on the mound or Nolan Reimold being in left field are good things. The Orioles dropped to three out, but still one game ahead of Detroit for the second wild card.
There were more home runs to be had at Fenway Park on Tuesday, but this time, the visitors did most of the heavy lifting.
De Leon (2-0) allowed two runs and three hits in his second career start.
After taking three of the last four contests, Boston has leveled the season series with the Orioles at 6-6.
The Red Sox have 18 games remaining, including 15 against the Orioles, Blue Jays and Yankees.
Zach Britton pitched a scoreless ninth for his 42nd save.
It was a tough outing for Drew Pomeranz. He fell behind hitters and Baltimore’s batters took advantage.
“We were asking if we can meet (Ortiz) and they said no, so I said, ‘OK, I’ll hold onto the ball, ‘” said Jordan, who had never caught a ball at a major league game. He went 7-8 with a 4.98 ERA in 19 starts, before being traded again.
Manager John Farrell credited Boston relievers for keeping the Red Sox in the game despite the offensive struggles.
He said he didn’t know what had been holding him back.
Orioles: OF Steve Pearce was not in the starting lineup will have his right elbow examined for a nagging injury that he aggravated making a throw from left field Monday night. Benintendi had been on the DL since August 25 with a sprained left knee. Brewers RHP Michael Blazek, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on September 3 but has yet to pitch, threw a simulated game Monday.
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Red Sox: Knuckleballer Steven Wright hasn’t resumed throwing yet.
