Refsnyder returns with a home run and the Red Sox sweep the Orioles
Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder homered in his return from a left oblique injury, helping Boston secure a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. This win completed the Red Sox’s first four-game sweep of the Orioles since August 2018.
Romy Gonzalez drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, which proved crucial for Boston, who went 7-1 on their eight-game road trip.
Trevor Story also hit a home run for the Red Sox, who lead the New York Yankees by one game in the fight for the American League wild card.
Refsnyder, who was out of action for 12 games due to the oblique injury, came into the game with a batting average of .272, six home runs and 22 RBIs in 54 games before being the designated hitter in the last game of the series.
Alex Jackson hit a home run for Baltimore, which had a 1-7 record in its home series against Houston and Boston. The last-place Orioles are 18 games behind first place in the American League East.
In the eighth inning, Roman Anthony received a walk, advanced to second base thanks to a ground ball by Story, and scored when Gonzalez hit a single to left field.Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder watches his home run during the fourth inning in Boston’s 3-2 victory over the Orioles on Thursday afternoon in Baltimore.Garrett Crochet allowed two runs in six innings for Boston. He struck out seven batters, raising his season total to 214, two more than Tarik Skubal of Detroit.
Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Garrett Whitlock got Boston out of a jam in the eighth inning, striking out pinch-hitter Dylan Beavers with two runners on base to end the threat. Steven Matz worked the ninth inning for his second save.
Baltimore opener Cade Povich allowed solo home runs to Story in the first inning and Refsnyder in the fourth. He allowed two runs in five innings and struck out five.
Before Thursday’s game, the Red Sox also placed first baseman Nathaniel Lowe on the paternity list and activated right-handed pitcher Justin Slaten from the 60-day injured list. Boston also sent left-hander Jovani Moran to Triple-A Worcester.
Boston swept a four-game series against Baltimore for the first time since August 10-13, 2018.
