Machado, Tillman Lead Orioles Past Red Sox In Series Opener
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Manny Machado hit a two-run blast in the first inning, Chris Tillman continues to play lights out baseball, and the Orioles defeat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The Orioles and Red Sox came into the game tied for the division lead with a record of 36-26. This makes the current series pivotal for both teams as they look to gain separation. It looked to be a pitcher's duel between Chris Tillman and David Price. On Tuesday, it would be the Orioles that struck first.
In the top of the very first inning, Manny Machado hit a two-run homer to right to give Baltimore a 2-0 lead. Neither team could get much offense going after that. The Red Sox wouldn't get a run on the board until the 7th inning when Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a home run off of Chris Tillman.
Baltimore responded in the following inning with a home run of their own courtesy of Jonathan Schoop.
With the 3-1 advantage, Orioles Manager Buck Showalter decided to bring in Zach Britton to close the last two innings of the game. Boston was able to score a run off of a Hanley Ramirez RBI single, but Britton would allow no more from the Red Sox as Baltimore picked up the victory.
Baltimore will look to add more separation on their division lead when Tyler Wilson (2-5 4.73 ERA) takes on Steven Wright (7-4 2.09 ERA).