Shane Baz was victimized by Baltimore Orioles’ errors in the field this evening at Boston’s Fenway Park. It’s probably a poor idea to commit a bunch of errors against a team who had won 13 straight games coming in. Especially when that team’s a division opponent who sort of refuses to lose. Baz’s line: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R ( 2 earned) 0 BB, 6 K.
I’m not someone who believes in vibes in the moment or at all. But Boston is certainly feeling something along those lines. When you’ve won 13 straight games, that’s probably part of the deal – regardleas of what I say.
However the Orioles were far from blown out in this game. It was a struggle to the end. Tyler O’Neill got the Birds on the board in the first with a ground-rule RBI-double. Duran’s sac fly-RBI in the third would tie the game at one, and Boston would put two across in the third to take a 3-1 lead.
However keep in mind that those two runs in the third were unearned. Jeremiah Jackson committed a two-out error, which led to those two runs. Baz pitched well; he deserved better.
But the O’s battled back. They lost this game, but they certainly battled. Which makes a difference – not in the standings, but it makes a difference. Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s solo homer in the fifth cut the Boston lead to 3-2. One inning later the O’s led 4-3. This after an RBI-single by Jeremiah Jackson, followed by an RBI-single by Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
However Boston led off the sixth with a single by Abreu, who advanced to second on a throwing error. He walks later score on Contreras’ run-scoring double, tying the game at four. Tyler O’ Neill would ground out on the seventh, scoring a run. And the Birds led, 5-4.
However Boston would tack on two in the later innings. This included solo homer by Durbin in the last of the eighth, which won the game for Boston. End of the day, you can’t commit four errors and expect to win. Which is why the Orioles need to continue looking at and addressing their defense going forward.
The series continues tomorrow at Fenway Park. Kyle Bradish gets the call for the Orioles, and Boston is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 