Pivetta sharp in Red Sox debut; Boston beats Orioles 8-3

BOSTON (AP) — Nick Pivetta struck out eight in five innings of one-run ball in his Boston debut, Christian Vázquez hit a three-run homer and the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-3 on Tuesday night.

The teams combined for five errors, there was a misplayed fly ball and a runner picked off third to kill a rally, a performance befitting the AL East’s worst two teams.

Bobby Dalbec drove in a pair of runs and J.D. Martinez had three hits with an RBI for the last-place Red Sox.

Renato Núñez clubbed a towering solo homer for the Orioles that hit halfway up a light stanchion above the Green Monster. Baltimore has lost five of six and was officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Acquired from the Phillies along with a minor league right-hander for relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree on Aug. 21, the 27-year-old Pivetta (1-0) relied mostly on his fastball in the low 90 mph range to dominate the Orioles.

“Honestly, I'm just very grateful for this opportunity,” Pivetta said. “It's been over a year since I've been able to start in the big leagues.”

His previous start start came last season with Philadelphia, on July 17.

“Really nice. We’ve been looking forward to watching him pitch,” Boston manager Ron Roenicke. “Great start for him for us, got the five innings we needed from him and he got a win.”

The righty gave up three singles and walked three after being called up from the club’s alternate training site. Matt Barnes got the final out with the bases loaded for his ninth save.

Keegan Akin (1-2) was roughed up for eight hits and four runs — two earned — in four innings.

“I thought he threw the ball OK," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "We just didn’t play very good defense again behind and really hurt him. A couple of...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Pivetta-sharp-in-Red-Sox-debut-Boston-beats-15589330.php