BOSTON—A week ago, the Orioles started their final long road trip, one that promised to be difficult. That hasn’t turned out to be the case. After losing their first game in Arizona, they’ve now recorded six straight wins on the road.
After an offday, resting up after an all-night, cross-country flight, the Orioles moved closer to clinching their first postseason spot since 2016 with an 11-2 win over the Boston Red Sox before an announced crowd of 33,852 at Fenway Park on Friday night.
The Orioles also are closer to their first American League East title since 2014. They maintain a four-game lead over Tampa Bay, which beat Seattle, 7-4.
Oriole starter Kyle Bradish (11-6) won his fourth straight game, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings for the third consecutive start, keeping his earned-run average at a tidy 3.03. Bradish struck out nine without walking a batter.
“I have full confidence in our hitters there every time I go out,” Bradish said. “It’s a tough game so you’re not going to get the runs all the time. Lately, they’ve been swinging it.”
The Orioles had their sixth consecutive game with 10 or more hits for the first time since September 19th -September 24th, 2011.
“I think our guys are, no matter what the score is, are continuing to take good at-bats,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I saw a lot of walks late, guys not giving their at-bat up, just because of the score … Every at-bat matters. We’re taking team at-bats for nine innings, and that’s how you win games.”
Designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn hit his 12th home run of the season against Red Sox starter Tanner Houck (4-9) in the fourth, and the Orioles scored four runs against Houck in the sixth to take a 5-0 lead. It was the 50th home run of O’Hearn’s career, and it came at Fenway, a place where O’Hearn enjoys playing.
“A nice round number, 50 is cool,” O’Hearn said. “Hopefully, there’s a lot more to come. I like playing here because you see the ball really good. As a fan of the game, you can appreciate the history. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful setting for baseball that there is.”
Centerfielder Cedric Mullins had a two-run double. Leftfielder Austin Hays delivered an RBI single and catcher Adley Rutschman hit a sacrifice fly.
The Orioles (89-51) can win 100 games for the first time since 1980 if they win 11 of their final 22 games.
Kolten Wong had a third-inning single against Bradish, the only Boston (72-6) baserunner in the first five innings.
“I saw probably as dominating of five innings that I’ve seen from him,” Hyde said. “Every pitch working … He’s getting better and better, and that’s been fun to watch.”
Wong homered with one out in the sixth. Doubles by Alex Verdugo and Justin Turner cut the Orioles’ lead to 5-2.
Rutschman hit his 18th home run in the eighth. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson followed with a triple and scored on a wild pitch by Brennan Bernadino for a 7-2 lead.
Ryan McKenna, who replaced Anthony Santander in right field in the eighth inning, made a terrific catch on a drive by Rafael Devers, saving a home run to end the inning.
The Orioles added four runs in the ninth on a fielder’s choice by Rutschman, an RBI single by Henderson, who had a single, double and triple, and a two-run single by Aaron Hicks.
“You have a lead. You continue to build, and you continue to add,” Hyde said. “We don’t have a ton of veterans in our lineup. We’re learning as we go and guys have gotten better this year. I hope we continue to do that because it’s huge for our bullpen.”
Notes: With the win, the Orioles’ streak of series without being swept increased to 85, the fourth longest in baseball history. … Bradish has thrown at least six innings in each of his last seven road starts, the longest streak since Jeremy Guthrie’s 10 straight from September 23rd, 2009-June 16th, 2010. … Jack Flaherty (8-8, 4.84) will face Chris Sale (6-3, 4.46) on Saturday at 4:10 p.m.
Minor league update: Third Baseman Josh Lester hit a grand slam, his 21st, and leftfielder Colton Cowser hit a three-run home run, his 14th, as Triple-A Norfolk beat Jacksonville, 11-0. Shortstop Jackson Holliday had two hits and drove in a run. T.J. McFarland (5-2) pitched three innings in relief, allowing one hit. Tyler Wells pitched a spotless ninth, striking out one.
Rightfielder Dylan Beavers hit his first home run as Double-A Bowie beat New Hampshire, 6-2, in a game that was ended by rain after eight innings.
Kyle Virbitsky (6-1) allowed one hit and struck out eight in six scoreless innings as High-A Aberdeen beat Greenville, 3-0, in a game that ended after 6 ½ innings because of rain. Catcher Creed Willems hit his ninth home run.
Catcher Randy Florentino drove in four runs as Single-A Delmarva lost t0 Fredericksburg, 15-10.