The Baltimore Orioles lost Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader with the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in 10 innings. The walk-off win was the result of a Rafael Devers one out RBI single. Letting Gregory Soto (0-2) pitch to Devers was a questionable move, especially with first base open. Devers, the producer of 8 RBI on Friday, was 5 for 10 with a homerun and three strikeouts lifetime against Soto. When asked post-game about the move, Interim Manager Tony Mansolino said “if you put him on there it gets messy….we’re going to bet on our guy every time”. Bet made, bet lost. Soto’s losing line was 1 unearned run on 1 hit in 0.1 inning.
Boston did not have the lead at any point in the game until the end, when it mattered. The Orioles had leads of 2-0 and 5-2 after their half of the first and fifth innings, respectively. Boston managed to tie the game at 2 and at 5 apiece.
The game experienced 26 minutes of delay combined between a delayed start and a delay after one batter in the bottom of the first inning.
The Orioles jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Ramon Urias (1 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI) RBI-double in the first inning. Adley Rutschman (0 for 2, 2 R, 3 BB) and Gunnar Henderson (2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI) scored on the play.
Boston answered back with homeruns by Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu off starter Zach Eflin. Eflin also surrendered a fifth inning leadoff homerun to Abraham Toro before leaving the game with one run in, on man on and one out in the sixth. Eflin’s final line was 5 runs allowed, 4 earned, on 5 hits (3 HR) with 2 walks and a strikeout over 5.0 innings.
The Orioles had traffic on the bases in the fifth inning, scoring three runs in the process. Heston Kjerstad (1 for 4, 2 B, R) scored on a Jackson Holliday (1 for 5, R, RBI, SB) forceout at second base, Henderson doubled home Holliday and Rutschman scored on a wild pitch.
The Orioles went 2.1 innings after scoring the fifth run without a hit. Ryan O’Hearn‘s (1 for 3, BB, HBP) lead-off single in the eighth was the final Baltimore hit. The Orioles grounded into 1 doubleplay and struck out 12 times; they also went 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position.
2025 Record: 16-34
Next Game: Game 2 @ 6:35 pm vs. Red Sox