But the fifth pitch wasn’t far enough outside, and Ortiz crushed it to dead-away center to reach thirty-five homers for the sixth time in his career.
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Neither side showed much at the plate on Monday night in Camden Yards as the Orioles held on for a 2-0 win over the Red Sox.
“I think we’re all feeling very good about where he’s at and what he’s capable of doing”, interim manager Torey Lovullo told MLB’s official website. Nothing was really driven. “He never looked like he was in trouble”. They bring that runs allowed average up to 5.4 against division foes. His delivery adds some deception to the mix. With all the struggles they have had offensively this season, many would say that was a big issue as to why they aren’t going to the playoffs. He got some criticism from fans for saying that he felt he had a right to some direct input with owner Peter Angelos and the front office because he was the player with the longest contractual commitment to the organization. “The majority of their lineup was pretty aggressive”.
Kelly wasn’t great through three major league starts, allowing 13 earned runs in 132⁄3 innings, but he reminded himself to throw his knee-bending curveball more often and use the 99 miles per hour heater only when necessary. Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com reported that “When the third inning started, though, Kelly’s fastball velocity dipped from 94-95 miles per hour to 92 miles per hour”. Ortiz had been tied with Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, and Manny Ramirez. Barry Bonds (45 in 2004), Hank Aaron (40 in 1973), and Steve Finley (36 in 2004) are the others.
As Kelly gave up four runs in the bottom of the third, it was clear that his stuff was greatly diminished from what it had been the last few weeks.
Jackie Bradley Jr. drew a walk to start the third inning. Sandoval initially was ruled safe at second before Orioles manager Buck Showalter challenged it, and the play got overturned for the inning’s final out.
Jorge Rondon didn’t cool the Sox down. “Jonathan Schoop”s ninth-inning infield single was the Orioles” only hit over that span.
Sandoval was on the field for batting practice.
Dustin Pedroia is also finally healthy after missing nearly two months with a right hamstring injury. The Red Sox have won six of their last eight when scoring more than three runs. Game time is set for just after 7 PM. Since returning from the disabled list on September 8, Pedroia has been red hot.
Rodriguez said the Sox haven’t spoken to him about workload concerns, but when they do, he welcomes the conversation.
But from the way they have been playing recently, with contributions from every player, position and pitcher, you would not be able to tell.
Mets right-hander Logan Verrett, making a spot start so that New York can manage the innings of right-hander Matt Harvey, allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings.
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On a night when the old guard of the Boston Red Sox provided the offensive firepower, a rookie pitcher offered a hopeful glimpse of the future.
