Orioles Fall To Red Sox 8-1 In Rain-Shortened, 6-Inning Game
BALTIMORE (AP) — For the first time this season, the Baltimore Orioles are looking up at two teams in the AL East.
Baltimore managed only four hits off David Price before a rainstorm stopped play for good after six innings, and the Boston Red Sox pounded rookie Dylan Bundy in an 8-1 victory Wednesday night.
It was the sixth loss in nine games for the Orioles, who fell into third place in the division behind Toronto and Boston. Before this defeat, Baltimore was in first or second place since opening day.
"We've got to keep doing some things to keep us engaged in it, to have a chance in September," manager Buck Showalter said. "There's a lot of baseball to be played."
In order to keep pace in a very tight division, the Orioles are going to need better starting pitching. In this one, Bundy (6-4), a rookie, allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against the highest-scoring team in the majors.
"I threw some good pitches and they still hit them," Bundy said. "So, it's just one of those nights. Just got to learn from it and get better from here."
The Orioles' 39-19 home record is the best in the AL, but they're 2-4 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards after Boston's two-game sweep.
Still, it's way too early to panic.
"I mean it's so close, the separation between the teams," said Chris Davis, whose solo homer accounted for all of Baltimore's offense. "The important part is to keep going. There is still plenty of time left to regroup and get back on track."
Jackie Bradley Jr. homered and drove in four runs for the Red Sox, who have won six straight following a 7-13 run.
"Our starters have set the tone in this stretch," manager John Farrell said.
Price (11-8) was cruising until a driving storm stopped play, and the game was finally called after a delay of 1 hour, 17 minutes.
Price struck out four and walked none to earn his second victory in seven starts since July 10.
"We'll go as far as the starters take us, and we've thrown the ball well as a group," the left-hander said.
Boston outscored the Orioles 13-4 in the two games.
"We didn't pitch particularly well in certain spots," Showalter conceded.
Orioles nemesis Mookie Betts went 2 for 3 with a walk and scored three runs. Betts is batting .440 with eight homers, 19 runs scored and 17 RBIs in 12 games against Baltimore this season.
The game turned in the third inning with the score tied at 1. Bundy awkwardly toppled off the mound chasing a grounder to the right side and appeared to twist his right ankle. He declared himself OK after taking a few warmup pitches, and play resumed with two outs and the bases empty.
Bundy issued a two-out walk to Betts on a 3-2 count, and Bradley followed with a drive that cleared the wall in center field.
Sandy Leon hit a two-run shot in the fifth and Bradley doubled in two runs in the sixth against Tyler Wright.
MILESTONE
Farrell picked up his 313th win as Red Sox manager, moving past Ralph Houk for sole possession of ninth place in club history. Eddie Kasko ranks eighth with 345 wins.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez showed no lingering effects from the left hamstring tightness that forced him to leave Tuesday's game. "At this point, we're planning on him starting on Sunday," Farrell said. ... RHP Steven Wright (right shoulder strain) will have a bullpen session Saturday before coming off the DL on Tuesday.
Orioles: RHP Chris Tillman (shoulder soreness) remains on course to start Saturday after being pushed back from Wednesday, Showalter said. ... OF Joey Rickard (thumb ligament) will be in a splint for 2-3 more weeks before starting baseball activities.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Clay Buchholz (4-9, 5.66) makes his 14th start of the season Thursday afternoon in the opener of a four-game series in Detroit.
Orioles: RHP Kevin Gausman (3-10, 4.04) heads to the mound to help launch a four-game series against the visiting Houston Astros.
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