After getting rained out on Monday, the Orioles took on the Red Sox in a Day-night doubleheader. The Orioles though apparently left their bats in Florida as they managed to score just two runs in the double header as they were beaten twice by the score of 6-1. Hanser Alberto was player of the game for the Orioles in both games going a combined 5-for-7 on the day.
Game one lineup vs LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
- Austin Hays – CF
- Hanser Alberto – 3B
- Anthony Santander – RF
- Renato Nunez – DH
- Pedro Severino – C
- Jose Iglesias – SS
- Chris Davis – 1B
- Pat Valaika – 2B
- Andrew Velazquez – LF
Starting Pitcher – Wade LeBlanc – (0-0,0.00)
The Red Sox got on the board first when Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 in the top of the 2nd inning. In the 4th the Redsox increased their lead to 2-0 with a Rafeal Devers solo home run.
The Orioles finally got on the board in the bottom of the 5th when Hanser Alberto was able to beat out a dribbler to second base to score Pat Valaika who had doubled earlier in the inning to make it 2-1.
The Red Sox extended their lead to 3-1 with another sacrifice fly to make it 3-1.
At 89 pitches and dodging disaster all game, Brandon Hyde took Wade LeBlanc out and brought in Miguel Castro to try and keep things close. LeBlanc allowed three runs on ten hits and a walk while striking out three.
With two out in the top of the 8th, Castro gave up a single and with two lefties coming up, Hyde brought in Paul Fry. Fry though was not up tot eh challenge as Jackie Bradley Jr. roped a double to right center scoring one to make it 4-1 before Fry struck out Mitch Moreland to end the inning.
Trying to conserve pitching for the second game, Hyde let Fry return to face the top of the order but the Red Sox beat him around like a drum so Hyde had to bring in Shawn Armstrong to finish the inning and keep it a 6-1 lead.
The Orioles and their awful 2020 offense so far went down 1-2-3 in the 9th to give Eduardo Rodriguez a complete game, 6-1 win.
Orioles fall to 1-4.
Orioles Player of the game: Hanser Alberto (3-for-4)
Game 2 Lineup vs RHP Nathan Eovaldi
- Andrew Velazquez – CF
- Hanser Alberto – 2B
- Rio Ruiz – 3B
- Renato Nunez – DH
- Chance Sisco – C
- Dwight Smith Jr. – LF
- Jose Iglesias – SS
- Mason Williams – RF
- Chris Davis – 1B
Starting pitcher – John Means (0-1, 18.90 ERA)
It didn’t take long for the Red Sox to get on the board as JD Martinez took John Means deep to CF to make it 1-0 in the 1st.
The Red Sox picked up another run in the 2nd to make it 2-0.
After settling down over the next three innings, the Red Sox got to Means in the 6th when they scratched out one more run to make it 3-0. The Orioles pitiful, and when I say pitiful, it’s only because I can’t find a stronger word that is suitable for all ages, offense has managed just four hits through six innings.
With two outs in the top of 7th, with a runner on 1st and Means at 101 pitches, Hyde went to the bullpen to get Hunter Harvey to face Xavier Bogaerts. Harvey came in and caught Bogaerts looking on a 100 MPH fastball on the black of the plate. Means ended the going six and two-thirds, allowing three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three.
Eovaldi in the meantime kept dominating an Orioles offense that should be giving their game checks to charity at this point.
Down 3-0 and not wanting to wear out Harvey for tomorrow’s game, Hyde went to his bullpen and brought in Tanner Scott to start the 8th. A walk, a single and doubles later, the Red Sox had extended their lead to 6-0, which might as well be one million to nothing with this horrible Orioles offense.
The Orioles finally got on the board in the bottom of the 8th when Chris Davis picked up his first hit of the year and moved to third on a double by Andrew Velazquez and then scored on a flyball to Rf by Hanser Alberto to make it 6-1.
The Red Sox kept in Eovaldi for the 9th and he ended up getting a complete game as well and the Red Sox complete the sweep of the hapless Orioles who fall to 1-5.
Orioles player of the game: Hanser Alberto (2-for-3 with 2B and RBI)
Tony’s Take: Let’s just say this simulation is already becoming taxing to do as the Orioles offense has been absolutely pitiful. They score two runs in a double header and allow two complete games? Are you kidding me? Means pitched ok and besides Tanner Scott and Paul Fry imploding today, the bullpen has been pretty good.
Orioles News
After the game, the Orioles optioned Paul Fry to Norfolk. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow but a source indicates the Orioles have claimed a player on waivers and will add him to the 26-man roster tomorrow.
