BOSTON — The Red Sox successfully battled the elements, an early start time and back-to-back losses Monday en route to a 7-1, rain-shortened win over the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
The Sox and O’s kicked things off shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, per Boston’s annual Patriots’ Day tradition. It was like Baltimore never rolled out of bed, though, as Boston took advantage of some gifts while securing a victory over 6 2/3 innings.
The Red Sox’s loss Sunday, in which Rick Porcello got shelled, marked the first time this season Boston dropped consecutive games. It was encouraging to see the Sox bounce back in their homestand finale.
GAME IN A WORD
Sloppy.
The Orioles essentially handed the Red Sox a win. It was like they thought to themselves, “You know what? Two wins are enough for one weekend set. Let’s split it down the middle with these folks.”
The O’s committed as many errors (three) as the Red Sox had hits through the first five innings, yet Boston ran away with the contest on Marathon Monday.
Oh yeah, the weather fell into the “sloppy” category, too. The game was called in the seventh inning after a lengthy rain delay.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
The O’s puked all over themselves in the third inning.
The Red Sox scored four runs to open a 5-1 lead. Boston did so with the benefit of only one hit.
Wei-Yin Chen walked Xander Bogaerts and surrendered a single to Ryan Hanigan to begin the inning. He then committed a throwing error that allowed Bogaerts to cross the plate with Boston’s second run.
Chen issued back-to-back walks to Allen Craig and Mike Napoli to force in a run three batters later. Boston’s fourth and fifth runs of the game scored when Shane Victorino hit an in-between hopper to third base that Manny Machado couldn’t corral.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Mookie Betts broke an 0-for-11 skid with a leadoff single in the first inning. He then swiped second base, advanced to third base when catcher Ryan Lavarnway — yes, that Lavarnway — threw the ball into center field and scored when David Ortiz flied out to right field.
— Dustin Pedroia snapped an 0-for-8 slide with a single in the fourth inning. He added an RBI double into the left field corner in the sixth inning.
— Hanigan reached base three times. Unfortunately for the catcher, he did so in painful fashion, as he was plunked twice.
Hanigan took a couple of foul tips off his throwing hand earlier this series. You still want to be a catcher?
— Craig replaced Hanley Ramirez, who exited the game due to illness before the third inning. The late addition walked, scored a run and delivered an RBI single in the sixth inning.
Craig had been 0 for his last 13 before his sixth-inning single.
ON THE BUMP
— Justin Masterson’s velocity still wasn’t there, as he sat at around 86-88 mph with his fastball. The right-hander’s slider was effective, though, and he provided a solid start despite lasting just five innings.
Masterson gave up one earned run on three hits while striking out six and walking three. He threw 93 pitches (53 strikes) before turning things over to the bullpen.
— Junichi Tazawa tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
— Robbie Ross Jr. induced a double play in the seventh inning.
TWEET OF THE GAME
Spoiler alert: The Red Sox ended up winning the race.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Sean_McAdam/status/590192721295450112 align=’center’%5D
UP NEXT
The Red Sox will leave soggy Fenway in the rearview mirror in favor of St. Petersburg, Fla. The Sox are set to begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
Wade Miley is scheduled to face Chris Archer in the series opener. Miley was knocked around in his last start, while Archer doesn’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to facing Boston.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
