Henderson's big hit helps Orioles rally past Red Sox 3-2
By NOAH TRISTER AP Baseball Writer
BALTIMORE - Gunnar Henderson hit a bases-loaded single in the sixth inning to cap a big Baltimore rally, and the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Friday night.
It was a much-needed victory for the Orioles, who lost three of four to Toronto in their previous series to fall 4 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays for the final American League wild card. Baltimore trailed 2-0 after Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the third, but came back with three runs in the sixth.
Henderson's hit brought in two and gave the Orioles the lead.
Jake Reed (1-0) got the win as the second of five Baltimore relievers who shut out Boston for five innings. The Orioles did not use closer Félix Bautista, instead relying on Dillon Tate for the final four outs. Tate earned his fourth save.
Brayan Bello (1-5) took a shutout into the sixth for a second straight start, but his wildness caught up to him, and reliever Kaleb Ort couldn't hold the lead.
Bello pitched around a couple of walks in the fifth, but with one out in the sixth, Cedric Mullins singled and the next two hitters walked. Ort relieved Bello and threw a wild pitch to bring home a run.
After a walk to Ryan Mountcastle re-loaded the bases, Henderson - one of Baltimore's celebrated rookies - singled through the hole into right field.
Bello blanked Texas for six innings last weekend, and although he was charged with the three sixth-inning runs against the Orioles, he allowed only three hits and struck out seven.
Baltimore starter Austin Voth permitted two runs and five hits in four-plus innings. Bogaerts homered to right to open the scoring.
Mullins had three singles, although he was thrown out at second after the first two - once trying to steal and once trying to stretch his hit into a double.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder) is expected to play catch Saturday and throw a bullpen Sunday.
UP NEXT
The Orioles are hoping RHP Jordan Lyles (10-9) will be able to pitch Saturday. He was scratched from his start Monday because he was feeling sick. Michael Wacha (10-1) takes the mound for Boston.