The Boston Red Sox on Saturday managed another dominant win against the Baltimore Orioles, this time by a score of 9-3.
That’s good enough for Boston to take the three-game series, with the final game of the set on Sunday. With the victory, the Red Sox improve to 85-65 while the Orioles fall to 47-101.
Here’s the full box score.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
At this point in the American League playoff race, all that matters is getting the win.
Boston achieved that Saturday, as the New York Yankees fell to the Cleveland Indians. The Toronto Blue Jays must conclude their game against the Minnesota Twins before standings are set, but gaining ground against the Yankees is a good thing, and it appears they’ll maintain position in the AL’s first Wild Card spot.
With four straight victories, Boston is controlling what they can control.
STARS OF THE GAME
— Xander Bogaerts had a sensational day at the plate, batting 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBIs. He had a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, and followed that up with a three-run homer for some insurance in the sixth.
— Bobby Dalbec gave Boston its initial lead in the bottom of the first. With Rafael Devers, Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez all on base, he brought in two runs with a double to left to make it a 3-2 game. He also worked a walk in the fourth, finishing his day 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
— Devers made a lot happen for the Red Sox with how much he got on base. He was 3-for-5 with three runs and a RBI and scored the go-ahead run in the fifth.
WAGER WATCH
Tied up in the fifth inning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Red Sox’s odds at -125 (bet $125 to win $100). That was a good time to bet on a rally, as Boston bats got things done in the sixth.
NEXT UP ON NESN
The Red Sox and Orioles finish off the three-game set Sunday, with first pitch at 1:10 p.m. ET live from Fenway Park.
