Coming off of a rough start against the ChiSox, Baltimore Orioles’ starter Albert Suarez tried his luck at the BoSox this evening at Fenway. And the Orioles’ “rotation savior” this season returned to his winning form and winning ways. He pitched to a quality start, and helped propel the Birds to a much-needed win. Suarez’s line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K.
The Orioles led in this one almost from the beginning. That’s not to say the game didn’t have its high yield moments – more on that later. But Cedric Mullins smacked a solo homer in the first inning, and the O’s led 1-0.
But Mullins wasn’t done yet. He came up again in the third following a Gunnar Henderson walk. And Mullins smacked a second homer, this one of the two-run variety. And the O’s held a modest 3-0 lead.
Boston would get on the board in the fourth with an RBI-double by Casas. However following a Gunnar Henderson single and an intentional walk to Anthony Santander in the seventh, Ryan O’Hearn worked a tough at-bat and reached on an infield single. That brought the beleaguered Adley Rutschman to the plate. This with the Birds needing insurance…
…and Rutschman came through. In the clutch. For two runs – this with a solid two-RBI single to left. That gave the Birds a 5-1 lead, and some breathing room.
And they needed it. Yoshida’s RBI-double in the eighth cut the lead to 5-2. Boston also got a third run on a balk by Yennier Cano. However he got out of the inning, and save for a single, Seranthony Dominguez closed Boston out in the ninth.
Those insurance runs were huge. And again, they came from Adley Rutschman, who yes has been struggling. This was a big win for the Birds, but despite dominating from the beginning, it wasn’t without drama. However end of the day, the O’s brought it home.
The series concludes tomorrow night at Fenway Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Nick Pivetta. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 