Baltimore Orioles reduce Red Sox playoff hopes with win
The final home series and home game for the Orioles was a thrilling one, one that has brought back fond memories for O’s fans and painful memories for Boston fans. 10 years ago the Baltimore Orioles stunned the Red Sox in Camden Yards to knock the Sox out of playoff contention. The aftermath of that game 10 years ago helped lead to an Orioles playoff run the following year and for years after.
Not exactly in the same position talent-wise, Baltimore is nowhere near ready for the playoffs. The momentum of possibly knocking out a division rival or two, depending on the outcome of the Blue Jays series could be a nice lift for a team that has faced hardships the majority of the 2021 season.
The first batter of the game, Enrique Hernandez, hit a home run to give Boston the lead. This homerun seemed like a good omen for the Red Sox, however, it would be the last meaningful run the Sox scored. Ryan Mountcastle blasted a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 3rd inning, his 33rd of the year. Tyler Nevin laced a 2-run single in the bottom of the 6th inning to give the O’s a 5-1 lead. Pat Valaika hit a sac fly later in the inning as Baltimore went up 6-1. The Orioles would go on to win 6-2 and take two out of three from the Red Sox.
The Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mariners all benefited from the Orioles win as the Sox playoff hopes continue to fall.
The Orioles are now two games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the win column as it looks like the Orioles will draft at the two spots in the 2022 MLB Draft.
