When their offense is in a groove, the Baltimore Orioles like their chances against any opponent.
The Orioles scored 11 runs, matching their second-highest total of the season, in beating the visiting Boston Red Sox on Monday. The second game of the series is set for Tuesday night.
“We know we have a good offense and what we’re capable of,” Baltimore first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn said. “We also know we can put up runs fast.”
Catcher Adley Rutschman has driven in nine runs during the Orioles’ five-game winning streak, their longest of the season.
Baltimore bulked up for 13 hits, including six doubles and a triple, in Monday’s 11-3 victory.
“It’s like fastbreak offense,” Boston manager Alex Cora said of the Orioles. “They get (to) swinging well and hitting the ball hard.”
The Red Sox amassed eight hits and seven walks, typically a good formula to score runs, but they went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.
“We’ve just got to keep moving the line,” Cora said. “We did some good things. We didn’t cash in, of course. If we can stay patient and swing at the right ones, good things are going to happen.”
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (5-1, 3.20 ERA), who has been strong this month in two starts, goes to the mound for the Orioles on Tuesday. Since returning from a stint on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation, he has worked 11 innings, giving up two runs and four hits while striking out 14. He walked eight in that span, as well, however.
The availability of starters tends to be an evolving process for the Orioles.
“It’s going to be constant to see who stays healthy,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “There’s going to be hiccups along the way.”
Rodriguez faced the Red Sox earlier this season, getting a no-decision in Boston on April 11 when he worked 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on six hits in the Orioles’ eventual 10-inning win.
His only other assignment against the Red Sox also came in Boston in 2023. He was tagged with a loss while giving up four runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings on Sept. 10.
Right-hander Brayan Bello (5-2, 4.04) is the scheduled starter for the Red Sox, who have won six of his eight starts this season. Five of his outings have come on the road, and the only game among them that Boston lost came May 17 in St. Louis.
Bello took a loss on April 9 against the visiting Orioles. He gave up three runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings. That left him at 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA in three career starts vs. Baltimore, losing a 2022 matchup and winning last year. In 15 2/3 total innings against the Orioles, he has never surrendered a home run.
Boston has lost three of its last four games, however.
“We turn the page and get ready for the next one,” Cora said.
–Field Level Media
