BOSTON–What happened? Entering Wednesday night’s second game of a split doubleheader, the Boston Red Sox had won 15 consecutive games, tying the franchise record set in 1946. It was the longest winning streak in baseball since the St. Louis Cardinals won 17 straight in September 2021.
After losses in the first two games of their series at Fenway Park, Oriole starter Kyle Bradish, who signed a five-year, $90 million extension on Saturday, allowed just one run on four hits, striking out four and walking one in six innings as the Orioles stopped Boston’s 15-game streak with a 5-1 win before 38,005.
“Fenway’s always fun, difficult place to pitch,” Bradish said. “But obviously their team’s been doing really good as of late. But, yeah, I definitely went out there with that on my mind, trying to end it.”
It was the longest winning streak snapped by the Orioles since they ended a 15-game run by Minnesota on June 17th, 1991.
The Red Sox (52-49) lead the Orioles (50-52) by three games for the final wild-card spot.
“We’re trying to win every game we play and it’s still July 22nd,” manager Craig Albernaz said when asked about the importance of the win. “So, there’s still a lot of season left. But being able to get a win against a really hot team and division opponent that we’re in a race with, yeah, it was definitely a huge win for us.”
Boston won the first game, 6-3. Dean Kremer gave up all six runs.
In the second game, the Orioles scored four runs in an interminable first inning. Rookie Eduardo Rivera (0-1) labored through 41 pitches until he was removed after facing eight batters in an inning that took 23 minutes to play.
Dylan Beavers had a two-run single, Johnathan Rodríguez, who was added to the roster when the Orioles placed catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, had a run-scoring double, and a fourth run scored on a wild pitch.
Gunnar Henderson led off the seventh with a triple and scored on a wild pitch.
Henderson will be more important to the team now that two key offensive weapons, Basallo and Adley Rutschman, are on the injured list.
“We got a lot of guys who can contribute,” he said. “Yeah, I hold myself to a high standard, so that comes with it. I want to get on base for the guys behind me and cause some havoc on the bases. Yeah, obviously, had some things I needed to clean up, and I feel like I’ve done that and am starting to hit the ball a little better. Starting to drive it all over the field. So, hopefully will be more dynamic and get on base for the guys.”
Boston scored its run in the fourth on an RBI single by Masataka Yoshida.
Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge and Tyler Wells each pitched a scoreless inning.
The Orioles returned left-hander Josh Walker to Triple-A Norfolk. He was the 27th man for the second game of the doubleheader.
How important was Bradish’s performance? Bradish (7-9) was pitching on 10 days rest. He showed no signs of rustiness.
“KB stepped up big time and we all know who KB is and what he’s capable of,” Albernaz said. “It was just great to see him go out there and kind of be that stopper for us. And he did a great job of pounding the strike zone.
“Fastball shapes were great. Breaking balls were outstanding and he did a great job getting us through six. He had to navigate some tough innings as well and he beared down. It was a great outing from KB.”
Henderson thinks Bradish’s contract was deserved.
“He’s done it a lot, he’s done it for many years for us,” Henderson said. “His stuff is electric, and ever since he’s come back from injury, he’s been lights out. It’s been really fun to play behind him, and a lot of weak contact, which makes the infield a lot more fun.”
Was Bradish’s contract on his mind? Bradish will speak in depth about his new contract on Friday, and he’s trying to justify it.
“It was a long week, but it was amazing,” Bradish said. “I thought about this start, first one back, I just wanted to make it a good one. Luckily today we were able to salvage that series, kind of put an end to that streak.”
Bradish usually doesn’t elaborate, but he seemed more at ease after the game discussing the importance of the game to him.
“It was tough,” he said. “But we’ve got a great support staff — pitching coaches, all my teammates here, they were all really excited for me, and I wanted to just go out there and kind of make them proud.”
Bradish’s contract begins next year and extends through 2031.
“I’m really happy,” he said. “From the top down, everybody’s committed to the same goal, and that’s winning and getting back to the playoffs and eventually winning the World Series, and I definitely feel that from the coaching staff and all the players here.”
Has Henderson finally begun to hit? Henderson had four extra-base hits in this series, three doubles on Monday and a triple on Wednesday night.
“It’s just being a little bit easier up there, not trying really, I guess, overdo it in a sense,” Henderson said. “Just going up there and letting my instincts and my bat path to take over, and I feel like I haven’t really allowed myself to do that, so it was just allowing myself to be free up there.”
Henderson has done nearly everything imaginable to get out of his funk.
“Started trying less, to be honest with you,” he said. “Just got literally in the cage off the machine and swung about as easy as I could off a pretty firm velo, and that’s about all I did.”
What does it mean? The Orioles had to win the game to keep in contact with the Red Sox, whom they won’t play again until September 4th in Baltimore.
What’s the stat of the day? 28. Henderson has reached base in 28 straight games at Fenway Park, every game he’s played there. It ties the Yankees’ Bernie Williams for the longest career-opening streak by an opponent.
What’s the word? “At this point, every win’s important. But they’re right in front of us in the standings. So being able to take one is really big for this team. I mean, we had the second longest streak going in. So, yeah, definitely wanted to at least get one here.’-Bradish on the win.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? The Orioles released outfielder/designated hitter Jhonkensy Noel, known as “Big Christmas.” Noel, who was well known by Albernaz from their days in Cleveland the previous two seasons. This year, Noel hit only .121 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 30 games with Norfolk.
The Tides lost to Charlotte, 8-4. Heston Kjerstad and Bryan Ramos hit two-run homers.
Tavian Josenberger homered twice and Douglas Hodo also hit a home run as Double-A Chesapeake beat Erie, 7-3.
Cameron Foster began a rehab assignment with High-A Frederick. He allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings in the Keys’ 13-8 win over Rome.
Wehiwa Aloy drove in five runs. Braylin Tavera homered and drove in three runs. Reed Trimble, who’s also on a rehab assignment, homered.
Stiven Martinez drove in two runs in Single-A Delmarva’s 6-4 loss to Hill City.
What’s next? The Orioles are off on Thursday and will host the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series beginning Friday at 7:05 p.m. Neither team has announced its pitchers.
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