The Red Sox improved to a .500 record for the first time since April 30 with a win over the Orioles on Monday night. A win that was sealed with solid pitching from the bullpen.
Clay Buchholz started the game strong, retiring the first six batters he faced. After allowing four runs in the third inning, he was able to settle down and pitch into the sixth inning, only allowing five runs against the AL East’s first-place team.
Andrew Miller was able to help Buchholz out, as the reliever inheriting two base runners when he entered the game in the sixth inning. After forcing a ground out to third, Miller got Nick Johnson to fly out to center to end the jam, with the score tied 5-5. Miller retired the next three batters he faced in the seventh, with the last two going down on strikeouts. On his 27th birthday, Miller recorded his first win of the season.
With an 8-6 lead in the ninth inning, Alfredo Aceves shut down all three Orioles in a row for his 10th save of the season.
Monday night’s win is the team’s third in a row. The Red Sox are now tied with the division rival New York Yankees, with matching records of 21-21.The week ahead gives Boston a chance to climb up the ladder against the top two teams in the AL East. The Red Sox will finish up their three-game series in Baltimore against the first-place Orioles on Wednesday, before coming home for three games against the second-place Tampa Bay Rays starting Friday.
Felix Doubront (4-1) will get the mound Tuesday night in Baltimore, with Daniel Bard (3-5) finishing the series on Wednesday.