The Boston Red Sox were forced to settle for a four-game series split against the Baltimore Orioles after falling 4-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Sox dropped to 65-58 on the campaign while the Orioles improved to 73-52.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Red Sox had far more and far better chances than the Orioles. Unfortunately for Alex Cora and company, they failed to capitalize on the vast majority of them. Boston left 11 runners on base and went 1-for-14 in scoring position. The Red Sox out-hit the Orioles 11-3 in the contest, but Baltimore benefited from home runs off the bats of Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson.
The Red Sox put runners on second and third with nobody out in the eighth inning. They loaded the bases with one out in the same frame. However, a Ceddanne Rafaela RBI single to score Triston Casas (lead-off walk) marked their only run in the inning. Mickey Gasper struck out for the second out and Romy Gonzalez popped the ball up in foul territory to end the bases-loaded threat.
Boston previously had a runner on second base with two outs in the third, runners on first and second with nobody out in the fourth, a runner on second with one out in the fifth, runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth and a runner on third base with one out in the seventh.
The offense wasn't able to help out right-hander Kutter Crawford, who was efficient through five innings before he struggled in the sixth. Crawford, who allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings, gave up a leadoff walk, hit the next batter and allowed a run on a fielder's choice before he was pulled.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (1-for-4, two RBIs, run) hit his fourth home run in the last five games, his third in a four-game series against the Red Sox. Henderson's two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Orioles some breathing room with a 4-0 advantage. He hit a home run Saturday night after one in the series opener.
-- Triston Casas (2-for-4, walk, run) reached base three times for the Red Sox. Casas stroked a lead-off single to center field in the fourth inning, singled to right field in the sixth inning and took a lead-off walk in the eighth inning. Casas reached scoring position all three times.
-- Albert Suarez threw six scoreless inning for the Orioles. The right-hander scatter seven hits with six strikeouts as he threw 60 of his 99 pitches for strikes.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox will travel to Houston as they open up a three-game series against the Astros on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch it live on NESN after an hour of pregame coverage.
