Red Sox Jump to First Place Tie with Four-Game Win Streak
BALTIMORE – The Boston Red Sox scored a grand total of five runs during their three-game, season-opening losing streak. Since their last loss, an 11-2 thrashing by these Baltimore Orioles on April 4, Boston scored 33 runs in four straight wins to go from last place to a tie for first in the American League East. After a rare Friday off-day, the Sox and Orioles will break that tie with their next game scheduled at Camden Yards Saturday evening at 7:05pm EDT.
Red Sox SP Eduardo Rodríguez won in his return from a year-long absence from the mound. He has returned to active duty after a 2020 bout with COVID-19 and heart inflammation that sidelined him indefinitely in the abbreviated 60-game season. In his return, Rodriguez allowed three runs over five innings Thursday to lead the Boston Red Sox over Baltimore, 7-3, spoiling the Orioles’ home opener.
Rodriguez, 28, was placed on the 10-day injured list to start this season, citing left elbow inflammation (retroactive to March 29). After missing the entire 2020 season due to myocarditis, the left-hander made four starts in spring training and went 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP), 15 strikeouts, and two walks. In 127 career games (122 starts) with the Red Sox, Rodriguez is 51-31 with a 4.03 ERA (313 ER/699.0 IP). In 2019, he finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting.
Thursday’s Boston victory over Baltimore came after the Sox had evened their record at 3-3 (.500) with a three-game sweep over divisional rival Tampa Bay. During the series, the Sox recorded a +17 run differential (26-9), batted .339 with a .903 OPS, posted a 2.10 ERA and .194 opponent AVG, committed 0 errors, and allowed 0 HR.
Of the 20 seasons in which the Red Sox started 0-3, this season is only the second time they rebounded to win their next three games and move to 3-3. The previous occurrence was back in 1951.