Sox weather all storms
Parade of wins go on in rain
BALTIMORE — There isn’t much going wrong for the Red Sox this summer.
Comments will be made about the quality of the American League, which is about to see three teams lose more than 100 games for the first time since the 162-game schedule began in 1961.
But even a good team can lose a series to bad team sometimes. The Red Sox just aren’t doing that right now.
Soaking rain, thick humidity and three weather delays couldn’t interrupt their momentum in a 5-3 win over Baltimore last night at Camden Yard.
There was never any doubt as they scored early on a Mitch Moreland home run and cruised to their 15th win in 17 games.
The Sox have lost just one series in the last month, when they dropped two-of-three to the Yankees in the Bronx at the end of June. And they’ve lost only two series all year to teams that currently have records below .500.
It’s not like they’re jumping on the backs of Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez and Chris Sale every game.
Betts and Martinez are a combined 5-for-28 (.179) with five singles in four games since the All-Star break and the Red Sox have won three of those games.
“They think they’re in a slump (Betts and Martinez), which is funny,” Sox manager Alex Cora said. “I’ve been saying when those three guys at the top of the order get hot, we’re going to have some fun.”
Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, Steve Pearce and — wait for it — Jackie Bradley Jr. have led the offensive assault since the break.
Bogaerts made a buttery smooth turn and perfect relay throw from the outfield to throw out Jace Peterson at the plate and end an attempted rally by Baltimore in the third inning.
Sandy Leon picked off Tim Beckham at first base after Beckham slipped on his way back to the bag in the first inning.
It was one little thing after another as the Red Sox slowly dismantled the Orioles the way they’ve picked apart most bad teams.
When one player gets cold, another gets hot.
Moreland’s first homer since June 24 was off Kevin Gausman in the second.
The Sox scored their next four runs in the fifth, when Bogaerts hit a leadoff double and Rafael Devers, Leon and Bradley drew three consecutive walks to score another. Benintendi lifted a ground-rule double to left to add two more and the O’s were cooked. Martinez’ RBI single capped the scoring for the Red Sox.
Rick Porcello (12-4) had little issue with baseball’s worst offense, and one that just unloaded Manny Machado. Porcello used 90 pitches to work through three rain delays and keep the O’s off the board in six innings.