Orioles conquer Red Sox 8-4

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox on Friday for the first of three in Fenway Park. Boston’s two-game winning streak snapped, reclaiming the cellar of the American League East as they sit at a 7-10 record. Baltimore’s two-game win streak persisted into three, and Baltimore surpasses the .500 threshold with an 8-7 record.

John Lackey took the hill for Boston and Chris Tillman, the Orioles’ ace, for Baltimore. Lackey came off a dreadful start against the Bronx Bombers and the pitching woes continued tonight. In 5 and 1/3 innings of work, he allowed six earned runs on ten hits, four walks, and six strikeouts. Tillman fared much more favorably dealing against the struggling Red Sox’ lineup. He enabled three earned runs on seven hits, four walks, and five strikeouts, in five frames.

The game commenced shrouded in controversy when Nick Markakis hit an opposite field line-drive to left field. Initially, it was ruled fair because of the error of the human eye but it was conspicuous that it was foul, so John Farrell challenged the call. Well, even instant replay could not get it right (with EVERY camera angle available) and Nick Markakis had himself a “double.” Lackey then retired the next two batters but Adam Jones‘ infield single drove Markakis in.

Game Notes: 

• Jonathan Schoop was the MVP of the game with four hits, two doubles, and two RBI for the orange birds.
• Everyone in Boston’s lineup collected at least one hit, and for once was not culpable for one in the “L” column.  Brock Holt and Mike Carp collected two a piece. The former being somewhat of a surprise making his 2014 debut for the squad.
• Burke Badenhop and Edward Mujica each allowed a run (shocker) in their relief outing.

The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles square off in game two tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. eastern time. Felix Doubront takes the rubber for Boston, opposing Bud Norris.