A five-run second inning has put the Baltimore Orioles two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East after a 6-3 win Tuesday night.
TheBaltimore Oriolesdefeated the Boston Red Sox, 6-3, on three home runs andZach Brittonrecorded a four-out save on a night that the both the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays also lost.
J.J. Hardy,Nolan ReimoldandJonathan Schoopeach had home runs, andDylan Bundyrecorded another quality start for the Orioles are once again two games behind the Sox in the American League East and tied with the Jays for the final AL Wild Card spot.
Hardy got the Orioles on the board first with a three-run blast over the Green Monster in the second inning. It was the ninth home run on the year for the shortstop.
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Drew Stubbswalked in the next at bat before Reimold launched another pitch over the Green Monster, extending the Orioles lead to 5-0.
Bundy loaded the bases in the bottom half of the second and walkedRyan Haniganon a close 3-2 pitch for the Sox first run of the night. He walkedDustin Pedroiaon four pitches in the next at bat to make it a 5-2 ballgame. Fortunately for the Orioles, Bundy struck outXander Bogaertsand gotDavid Ortizto ground out to end the inning with the bases still loaded.
Drew Pomeranz, a popular trade target for the Orioles earlier in the season, recorded only six outs in the game. The lefty gave up five runs on four hits and two walks before being pulled in favor ofHeath Hembree.
Bogaerts led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to cut the Orioles lead to 5-3. Ortiz singled in the next at bat and moved to second on a Stubbs error, but Bundy would get the next three batters to pop out to end the threat.
Bundy would work into the sixth inning, giving up a walk toChris Youngand gettingJackie BradleyJr. to pop out before being relieved byTommy Hunter. Bundy threw 95 pitches, 61 for strikes, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks while picking up four strikeouts. Bundy’s fastball was consistently hitting 95-96 mph which is a good sign considering many felthe was starting to wear downas the regular season comes to a close.
Baltimore had a chance to add some insurance runs with two outs in the top of the eighth. The O’s were able to load the bases, butAdam Jonesstruck out to end the inning. Not to worry, they did get that add-on run in the ninth as Schoop drilled his 24th homer of the year out of Fenway Park.
The combination of Hunter,Donnie Hart,Brad Brachand Britton closed the door on the Red Sox offense to preserve the win. Britton needed four outs to get his 42nd save of the season and went through the heart of the order to do so. The Orioles now have a 32-game winning streak when leading after six innings.
Next: Time to Move Wade Miley to Bullpen
The Orioles can move within a game of the division lead with a win tonight.Kevin Gausmanwill take the mound againstRick Porcello. Gausman has been electric since Aug. 23, posting a 1.08 ERA, while Porcello is the only 20-game winner in the Majors and 13-0 at Fenway.
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