Manny Machado homers, Orioles end strained series vs Red Sox with win
BOSTON (AP) — A tape-measure home run. A diving catch in the field. A double steal. Gutsy starting pitching.
“It actually seemed like we played a baseball game tonight,” Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said Thursday night after the Orioles capped a tense four-game series at Fenway Park with a more sedate, 8-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.
“After all that drama, we’re looking forward to getting back in that flow again.”
In a series marred by beanballs, brushbacks and racial rancor, the finale was decided in a more traditional way: when Baltimore scored five times in the fourth inning, including Manny Machado’s long three-run homer.
Seth Smith had four of the Orioles’ 17 hits — including a bases-loaded, game-tying double in the fourth — and also scored on a double steal for his first stolen base since 2014. Defensive replacement Joey Rickard made a diving catch in right with the bases loaded to protect a five-run lead.
Tyler Wilson (2-1) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. The 27-year-old right-hander was called up from Triple-A Norfolk for the spot start because scheduled pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was forced to come out of the bullpen Wednesday.
“There’s a lot going on in the game right now,” Wilson said. “I don’t know if relief is the right word, but we’re excited to get a win.”
Kyle Kendrick (0-1) made his season debut and allowed six runs and eight hits in four innings. Dustin Pedroia homered for Boston — the first of the year for the 2008 AL MVP.
The Orioles scored on a double-steal in the third, with Smith coming home when the throw to get Machado at second was off-line and in the dirt. Jonathan Schoop had three hits for the Orioles.
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