Friday’s 11 to 2 win by the Baltimore Orioles over the Boston Red Sox checked many boxes. The win took another day off the calendar as the Orioles move towards the 2023 Postseason, it maintained the lead over the Tampa Bay Rays and it marked what could be a weekend of elimination for the New York Yankees (Elimination # is 3) and all but elimination for the Red Sox (Elimination # is 4).

The leading candidate for 2023’s Unsung Oriole, Ryan O’Hearn, went 2 for 4 with a 4th inning homerun, his 12th of the season, 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. His homer kicked off the night’s scoring. O’Hearn is currently batting .305 in a part-time role (91 games played), not too shabby for a player acquired for cash, DFA’d, invited to ST, had his contract purchased by the O’s, optioned to Norfolk and then recalled to Baltimore, all in a span of January 3rd to May 9th.

Adley Rutschman went 2 for 4 with an 8th inning homerun that used the Pesky Pole to his advantage, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI and a walk.

Gunnar Henderson went 3 for 6 with a double, a triple, 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. He also made another highlight reel play on a Trevor Story grounder in the 7th inning.

Aaron Hicks went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI as a pinch hitter.

Ryan McKenna, an 8th inning substitute, went 0 for 0 with a walk and made a spectacular catch in the 9th, robbing Rafael Devers of extra bases.

Cedric Mullins went 1 for 4 with a double, 1 run scored, 2 RBI and a walk while Austin Hays went 1 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and a walk.

Starter Kyle Bradish (11-6) provided the pitching quality, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits (1 HR) and striking out 9 over 6.0 Innings.

The bullpen trio of Jacob Webb (1.0 IP, 1 K), DL Hall (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Jorge Lopez (1.0 IP, 2 K) preserved the win for Bradish.

BOX SCORE

2023 Record: 89-51 Magic Number: 18

Next Game: Sat. 9/9 @ 4:10 pm vs. Red Sox in Fenway Park

Jack Flaherty vs. Chris Sale

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