How Trevor Story Powered Red Sox To Sweep Of Orioles

No matter the opponent, a four-game sweep is no small feat. The Boston Red Sox capped off a four-game sweep with a 3-2 win on Thursday.

At the center of the win was shortstop Trevor Story. Story hit a solo home run in the first inning to give the Red Sox an early lead. It was his 22nd home run of the season, and third of the Red Sox’s 7-1 road trip.

In the fifth inning, with the game tied and runners on second and third and one out, Jackson Holliday hit a hard line drive up the middle. Story made an athletic diving catch and had the wherewithal to double off the runner at third to escape the jam.

“The play by Trevor. That was the game changer,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Just a good player playing elite baseball. We’re very proud of him,” he added later.

Garrett Crochet started the game, and while he wasn’t his sharpest, he managed to throw six innings of two-run baseball. The play by Story was a big part in keeping Crochet’s line clean.

“I was joking when he was coming in; it was the Trevor Story game today, cause there in the ninth too, he made another great play,” Crochet said. “I think that you can always just count on him to make the high IQ play that needs to be made.”

Story wasn’t done yet, though. In the ninth inning and the Red Sox leading by a run, Steven Matz surrendered a leadoff double to Dylan Carlson. Alex Jackson hit the ball hard up the middle. Story fielded it, pivoted, and threw to Alex Bregman, who tagged Carlson out at third.

“Communication is everything, and obviously, experience plays a big part. We know that they’re trying to get that runner to third. Usually, we’re always talking about if it’s hit hard at me, I’m gonna take a peek to see if we can make a play. [Bregman] was ready for it and made a great tag,” Story said.

The next two hitters flew out, and the Red Sox completed the sweep of the Orioles. They’ll return home to Fenway Park for a three-game weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.