Orioles allow 13 runs in 8th inning of 19-5 loss to Red Sox in 1st game of split doubleheader; 2nd game rained out

BOSTON–What happened? In another awful display, the Orioles turned a three-run deficit in the eighth into a 16-3 deficit in the first game of a split doubleheader. The second game was postponed by rain.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino, struggling in the first week of his job, decided to bring infielder Emmanuel Rivera into the game after Cionel Pérez allowed five runs in the eighth.

With the Orioles suddenly down, 11-3, Rivera faced 13 batters. Eight scored before he was able to record three outs.

In the top of the ninth, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora decided to try to save his bullpen for the second game as well, and used Abraham Toro, an infielder who had to replace the injured Alex Bregman in the fifth inning, as a pitcher. Bregman left with right quadriceps tightness.

Toro allowed two runs to the Orioles in the ninth in a 19-5 Red Sox win before 31,150 at Fenway Park.

“I think it’s part of the game now with the way things are,” Mansolino said. “I don’t think any of us take it personally. I think what we’re trying to do is be smart and understand that we’ve got two games to play today and ideally we’d like to have as much pitching as we can in the second game.

“You get down eight innings right there for us, you send Cionel out, I think he’s at 12 pitches, you look up, he’s pushing 35 to 40 pitches. We’re down eight runs. By the rules of Major League Baseball we’re allowed to put in a position player. I think you kind of punt right there with the idea that you’ve got to have as many arms as you can in the second game. So it is what it is. We don’t take it personal. We’re just trying to be smart.”

Cade Povich pitched well for five innings, but when he turned the game over to the bullpen, the game rapidly went south, and the Orioles lost for the ninth time in the last 10 games.

The Orioles (16-33) led, 2-1, heading into the bottom of the sixth

Seranthony Domínguez (2-1) recorded the first out of the sixth before Nick Sogard doubled, Kristian Campbell walked, and Ceddanne Rafaela’s single scored Sogard to tie the score, 2-2.

Jarren Duran singled, and Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run against Gregory Soto to give the Red Sox a 6-2 lead.

The Orioles loaded the bases against Justin Wilson in the eighth with one out. Ramón Urías singled to score Adley Rutschman against Justin Slaten. Slaten struck out Cedric Mullins and Heston Kjerstad grounded to second, ending the inning.

Devers completed an eight-RBI game with a three-run home run against Rivera. Rob Refsnyder hit a two-run home run.

The Orioles allowed 13 runs on 12 hits as 18 batters went to bat in the eighth inning.

Ryan O’Hearn had three hits. Jackson Holliday had two RBIs. The Orioles scored two runs in the ninth against Toro.

“So, I actually thought it probably validated what we did,” Mansolino said. “The fact that you’re in a doubleheader and pitching is limited, I think they used three or four guys out of the bullpen at that point, they’re trying to win the second game as well at that point. So, to see them bring in a position player, it’s a little bit of validation for our decision.”

How did Povich throw? In a tough year, Povich, who allowed one run on four hits in five innings, has shown improvement. His ERA dropped to 4.86.

“I’m always trying to get better, always trying to find something,” Povich said. “I think for me, personally, it’s try to do the best that I can to go deep into games and give the team the best chance to win a ballgame. I think if I do that the majority of the time, we’re going to have a pretty good chance to win some ballgames and for me, myself, to get better as well.”

It’s hard for Povich to watch games like this, but he doesn’t complain.

“Trying to keep the team in the game and give ‘em the best chance to win is what I’m really trying to do and what I feel like my job is,” Povich said. “Majority of the time when I’m able to do that, the bullpen’s able to come in and shut ‘em down and we’re able to get a couple more runs. I think the majority of the time it works out better than it did today.”

What’s happening with Bautista? Mansolino isn’t alarmed that Félix Bautista has been scored upon in his last four appearances.

“This is a guy that missed a long time, came out of the gates a little bit slow, then he got it going for a little bit,” Mansolino said. “There’s a scenario here where you can say, ‘maybe he’s having to make a midseason adjustment. When we’ve seen Félix at his best, there’s a little more command there. I don’t think he’s that far off.”

Mansolino thinks Bautista will be better pitching more often.

What does it mean? Watching position players pitch in order to save the bullpen is awful. Seeing the Red Sox do it with a 16-run lead made it worse.

What’s the word? “This is Major League Baseball. I think we’ve just got to move on. We know we have a second game, we know we’re going to try to win that game. I feel like they understand that we did what we had to do at that point in the game to try to win the second one.”-Mansolino on using a position player to pitch.

What’s the stat of the day? Pérez’s ERA is now 8.31.

What’s next? The second game of the doubleheader was postponed. It will be made up as part of a Saturday doubleheader. The first game will begin at 1:05 p.m. The second game will begin at 6:35. The Saturday game had been scheduled to begin at 4:05. Zach Eflin (3-2, 3.08) will pitch Game 1. The Orioles haven’t named a starter for Game 2.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com