Red Sox beat Orioles 8-5 for season-high third straight win

BALTIMORE (AP) — Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez homered to provide Boston an early lead, and the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 Friday night for their season-high third straight victory.

Bogaerts hit a solo shot off John Means (0-2) in the second inning and Martinez connected for a two-run homer in the third. Rafael Devers added a three-run drive to make 6-0 in the fifth, and the Red Sox coasted to the finish.

During the game, Boston announced it traded relievers Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree and cash considerations to Philadelphia for right-handers Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold. In a lost season shortened by COVID-19, the rebuilding Red Sox were willing to deal two nig league relievers for potential future cogs in the rotation.

Ironically, Boston won on this night with a “bullpen game," using reliever Colten Brewer as the opener. Darwinzon Hernandez (1-0) and two others followed before Matt Barnes came in to get the final three outs — a role previously filled by Workman — and earn his first save .

Boston's modest three-game run comes on the heels of a nine-game losing streak. Despite their recent success, the Red Sox (9-18) remain in last place in the AL East, although they're making up ground quickly on the skidding Orioles.

Baltimore (12-14) has been outscored 41-22 during a six-game skid while playing at home against three sub-.500 teams — Washington, Toronto and Boston.

After the Red Sox went up 8-0, Pat Valaika and Cedric Mullins hit seventh-inning homers for the Orioles and Chance Sisco went deep with two on in the eighth.

Anthony Santander extended his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games for Baltimore and prized prospect Ryan Mountcastle played left field and went 0 for 2 with two walks in his major league debut.

Means allowed...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Red-Sox-beat-Orioles-8-5-for-season-high-third-15506626.php