Red Sox Wrap: Boston’s Clutch Rally Sends Orioles To Loss Column

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 5-1, on Saturday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

With the victory, the Red Sox improved to 65-57 while the Orioles dropped to 72-52.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Boston needed to score 12 runs to get back in the win column and keep Baltimore from a four-game sweep this weekend but during the third of four against the Orioles, the Red Sox instead leaned on its pitching and timely hitting to put away the leaders of the American League East.

And even though it wasn’t a 22-run slugfest this time, Saturday night was still a nail-biter.

Brayan Bello set the tone on the mound, providing Boston with six elite innings before it was time for the bullpen to step in. Bello and left-handed reliever Brennan Bernardino limited Baltimore to just one run, awaiting a go-ahead rally from the offense to prevent another prolonged night — Friday night’s game lasted over three hours, the longest game the team has played this season. So with an opportunity and much-needed step-up performance from the pitching staff, the lineup came through.

With two outs and runners at second and third, outfielder Jarren Duran supplied the clutch at-bat of the night, smoking a 2-2 offering from Baltimore’s Yennier Canó to center field to plate home two runs and give Boston a much-needed late-game lead — plus insurance. From there, the Red Sox extended their 3-1 lead over the Orioles by scoring four unanswered runs through the seventh and eighth innings.

Meanwhile, right-handers Lucas Sims, Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen stiff-armed Baltimore’s lineup from the seventh to ninth innings to seize a pivotal trip back to the win column for the Red Sox, booking a chance to take the series on Sunday.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Duran provided the dugout with a sigh of relief by giving the Red Sox a two-run lead, courtesy of a single. The 27-year-old finished 1-for-4 at the plate with his 30th stolen base of the season, and made a stellar grab in center field in the ninth inning.

— Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers sprinkled some insurance by belting a two-run home run, the three-time All-Star’s team-leading 27th of the season. Devers went 1-for-4 on the night.

— Boston closer Kenley Jansen took only seven pitches to shut the door on Baltimore in the ninth inning and snag a second straight win for the Red Sox.

ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox and Orioles will wrap up their division-rival clash on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Oriole Park at Camden Yards is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, along with an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.