McCann homers twice, Orioles hang on to beat Red Sox for seventh straight win
BOSTON (AP) — Yenier Cano retired Enmanuel Valdéz on a game-ending flyout that stranded the tying run on third as Boston’s ninth-inning rally fell brief, and the Baltimore Orioles held on to beat the Red Sox 13-12 Saturday behind a pair of James McCann house runs for his or her seventh straight win.
Closing in on its first postseason berth in seven years, the Orioles opened leads of 7-2 within the fourth, 12-6 within the seventh and 13-9 within the ninth as Aaron Hicks and rookie Gunnar Henderson hit three-run homers and Jordan Westburg had a solo shot.
“It was just one of those days. It’s like a heavyweight boxing match. Every time we threw up some runs, they found a way,” McCann mentioned.
Boston, which outhit the Orioles 23-14, closed within the ninth on Trevor Story’s two-run, two-out double and Wilyer Abreu’s RBI single earlier than Cano hit a flyout to left that Austin Hays caught effectively in entrance of the Green Monster.
Baltimore (90-51) received for the thirteenth time in 16 video games and have become the primary AL staff to succeed in 90 wins, sustaining a four-game lead over second-place Tampa Bay within the AL East. Shintaro Fujinami (7-8) pitched 1 2/3 innings.
“I feel like every time I come here it’s one of those games — a lot of runs and constant back-and-forth, a lot of fighting going on,” Hicks mentioned.
Boston (72-70) dropped seven video games behind Toronto for the AL’s final wild-card berth and in addition is 5 1/2 video games again of Texas.
“We had a chance. We had one swing to win that game. Loved the effort. Loved the at-bats,” Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned.
In a recreation that began 1 hour, 32 minutes late due to rain, McCann hit a two-run homer within the fourth off Chris Sale (6-4) and a solo drive within the sixth in opposition to Zack Weiss, who gave up Westburg’s homer on his subsequent pitch.
Henderson’s seventh-inning homer off Mauricio Lovera raised his season complete to 24.
Fenway Park was crammed with orange-clad Orioles followers, who haven’t seen their membership within the postseason since 2016 and have gone with out an AL East title since 2014.
Justin Turner hit a two-run homer within the first off Jack Flaherty, who gave up 5 runs — 4 earned — and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. Flaherty is 1-2 in six begins since he was acquired from St. Louis for Baltimore’s playoff push.
“I can’t pitch any worse than I have. First time out was good. Since then, it’s been a little bit up and down.” Flaherty mentioned, “It’s going to get better. I’m going to figure it out.”
Sale allowed seven runs — six earned — and 6 hits in 4 innings. The 34-year-old left-hander was coming off his first win since May 26, ending a stretch through which he was 0-1 in 5 begins.
“We’re putting guys in situations that are really, really tough now as far as usage,” Cora mentioned. “We’re all-in and we’re trying, which is the most important thing. Nobody’s quitting here. It was good to see the guys trying so hard and picking each other up.”
POPPED
The recreation was delayed for a couple of moments within the fourth when a seaside ball bounced from the seats all the way down to left discipline, the place Hays delivered a two-footed stomp along with his spikes that popped the ball and drew boos from some followers. After disposing of the ball’s stays, Hays robbed Verdugo with a diving catch on a sinking drive that will have been further bases and a number of RBIs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: LHP John Means (Tommy John surgical procedure) threw a bullpen session Saturday. Manager Brandon Hyde mentioned Means felt good however wasn’t prepared to supply a time when Means may be part of the rotation and pitch once more for the primary time since his April 2022 harm.
Red Sox: Weiss was recalled from Worcester and LHP Brandon Walter was optioned to the Triple-A staff. Boston claimed Weiss off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 25 and he made his debut for the Red Sox when he took over for Sale to begin the fifth.
UP NEXT
Orioles RHP Brayson Rodriguez (5-3, 4.91 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Brayan Bello (11-8, 3.61) in Sunday’s collection finale.
