The Baltimore Orioles finished what was a horrific road trip with a win up in Fenway Park in Boston, as they beat the Red Sox, 6-2. If there’s anything one could take out of the miserable 2-7 road trip which saw the Orioles face the White Sox, Yankees and Red Sox in succession, it’s the work of David Hernandez. After his impressive start at the New Yankee Stadium, the you
ng rookie, went into another Lion’s Den on Sunday — Fenway Park — and he earned his third win of the season by giving up one run in seven innings of work.
Baltimore’s offense gave Hernandez all the support he needed as Nick Markakis led the way with two hits, and three RBI, including his 12th homer of the season. Nolan Reimold, Brian Roberts and Felix pie each had two hits. They jumped all over John Smoltz — acquired by Boston during the winter and added to the team in June — struggled in yet another start and took the loss. He lasted only five innings and was charge with six runs — all earned.
Nick Marakis gave Baltimore a 1-0 lead in the first, and then they scored three runs in the third thanks to back-to-back RBI soubles by Marakis and Reimold, plus an RBI-single by Ty Wigginton. The Orioles raised the score to 5-0 in the fourth as Felix Pie had an RBI-double, and Baltimore added another run of Markakis’ homer in the fifth.
Boston finally scored in the fifth inning as Jed Lowrie had a sacrifice fly to plate J.D. Drew, and they scored in the eighth off Baltimore’s Jim Johnson as Dustin Pedoria had an RBI-double.
The Orioles get a reprieve from the American League contenders as they face the Kansas City Royals — last place in the American League Central — four games. The series will be huge for Baltimore as there will be someone from the rotation — either Rich Hill or Jason Berken — who’ll be taken out (based on their performance to make room for Chris Tillman).
Once again, Rich Hill will get a chance to prove that he belongs in the majors, because if he gets off to a horrific start, more than likely, he could be done as an Oriole assuming he doesn’t get through waivers.
