Red Sox hit season-high 5 HRs, tag Zimmermann, Orioles
BOSTON — Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer, one of Boston’s season-high five longballs, and the Red Sox coasted to a 12-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Rafael Devers, Kike Hernandez, Franchy Cordero and Christian Arroyo each hit a solo drive for the Red Sox, who posted their ninth win in 12 games.
“Playing here is always fun, but it gets more fun when the ball is flying out like that in a day game,” Dalbec said, smiling.
All five Boston home runs came in four innings against Bruce Zimmermann (2-3). He allowed a previous career-high four homers in his last start Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Chants of “Let’s go, Celtics!” echoed around Fenway Park a handful of times and got louder when Boston scored five times in the eighth. The Celtics played at the Miami Heat hours later in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
Xander Bogaerts had three hits, including a tworun double. Cordero added a two-run double and Arroyo homered on the first pitch after he had to get a new bat.
“Energy comes from offense and we did a good job offensively today,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “The bottom of the lineup was outstanding.”
Jake Pivetta (4-4) gave up one run on five hits in six innings, improving to 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last five starts.
Boston’s averaged 7.3 runs in its last 19 games.
“It looks very much like we are and what we sought out to be,” Pivetta said. “The consistency is there top to bottom.”
Zimmermann allowed six runs and eight hits.
“They were on everything he threw,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “We just need to flush this one and try to win a series. We haven’t had too many of these and this wasn’t our day. Zimm struggled from the start. We just need to let this one go.”
The teams have split the first four of a five-game series.
Trey Mancini had three hits for the Orioles, who have lost four of six.
Dalbec got the homer barrage started in the second with his drive into the last row of Green Monster seats. One batter later, Cordero hit his into the centerfield bleachers, making it 3-0.
Devers’ drive cleared Boston’s bullpen in the third before Arroyo and Hernandez hit theirs over the Monster the following inning.
Arroyo’s shot completely left Fenway to make it 5-0. His old bat splintered, slicing from the top down toward the middle, with the piece flying halfway to the mound when he fouled a pitch, forcing him to get another bat.
He said he went to a little different model.
“It’s funny. I hit it and came (into the dugout) and everyone was telling me … to start using that new one,” he said, laughing at his locker while telling the story. “Glad I went to the other one.”
Hernandez’s homer caromed off a billboard above the left-field wall.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: Anthony Santander appeared to injury something when he only got about halfway to first on his grounder to short, but after a visit from a trainer and Hyde he stayed in the game.
Red Sox: Cora said LHP Chris Sale, sidelined since early April because of a right rib fracture, would throw three times this week at the club’s spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla.