BOSTON — The Red Sox didn’t just sweep the Baltimore Orioles; they shut them out completely.
The Red Sox took a 2-0 win over Baltimore in their final home game of the season, completing their third straight shutout. Boston outscored the Orioles 17-0 in their three-game set.
Henry Owens deserves a lot of the credit for this one, as he managed to keep the hits and walks to a minimum in a dominant performance. The lefty has had trouble pitching at Fenway Park the season, but he showed up for the grand finale.
Let’s take a look at how it all went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Grind.
The Red Sox and Orioles both were pitching their butts off throughout the game, with the O’s being held to four hits and Boston getting seven. It was pretty obvious that this one would come down to the team that made the most of its scoring chances, and that just happened to be the Red Sox.
IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Robbie Ross Jr. recorded the final out.
This game was too close to call any earlier than the ninth inning. The Orioles only had to get two runs to go to extra innings, and this Baltimore lineup is definitely capable of doing that.
ON THE BUMP
— Owens walked to the mound in this game with a 6.35 ERA at Fenway Park, but he turned that around Sunday. The ball was in the air or on the ground most of the time, but he still managed to hold the O’s to three hits with five strikeouts and only one walk over 7 2/3 innings.
The left-hander likely will get one more start this season, but he’s currently above .500 at 4-3.
— Noe Ramirez lasted just one batter when Manny Machado doubled on a ball that Allen Craig and Mookie Betts had some trouble fielding. Tommy Layne replaced him to face the left-handed Chris Davis, whom he struck out.
— Robbie Ross Jr. came in to close, and he got the save. The lefty has been hit or miss this season, but he was on top of his game in the ninth, striking out two to finish things off.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— The Red Sox didn’t put much offense on the board, but they made it count when they did. Boston struck first in the bottom of the opening frame when Brock Holt scored from third on a wild pitch. Blake Swihart added another run with a solo home run in the third.
— Xander Bogaerts had a day for the Red Sox, though, going 2-for-4 with two singles.
— Rusney Castillo, Allen Craig, Brock Holt and Jackie Bradley Jr. also contributed a single each and all went 1-for-3.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox travel to New York to take on the Yankees in a four-game series starting Monday. Eduardo Rodriguez will get what most likely will be his last start of the season against Yankees starter Ivan Nova. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
