Red Sox power past O's on Holt's go-ahead shot
BALTIMORE -- Boston used a trio of homers, including an eighth-inning go-ahead three-run blast from Brock Holt, to hand Baltimore its fifth consecutive loss in Friday's 7-5 series-opening win at Camden Yards.
The Red Sox, who also got back-to-back homers from David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez in the fifth, capitalized on O's third baseman Manny Machado's error as Holt went deep off O's righty Darren O'Day.
Baltimore got a two-run homer from the red-hot Jimmy Paredes, and Everth Cabrera had a pair of RBIs. Chris Davis added a solo shot, his third homer this season, in the eighth.
Video: BOS@BAL: Paredes launches two-run shot, opens scoring
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Clutch hitting by Holt: After Machado's error gave Boston runners on the corners with two outs in the eighth, Holt delivered the decisive homer off O'Day over the right-field wall. It was Holt's first home run of the season and boosted his average to .424 in 33 at-bats this season. More >
Video: BOS@BAL: Holt crushes three-run shot for a Sox lead
Machado's costly gaffe: The Orioles' third baseman, who struck out with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, committed a costly miscue as Allen Craig's ball skipped past his glove. The play extended the inning for Holt and was Machado's third error in 17 games. It was preceded by lefty Brian Matusz's two-out walk to Pablo Sandoval.
"The first pitch was a strike. I mean, it was right down the middle. It wasn't even close. Ball four was a ball. You can't be nibbling like that," Matusz said. "You've got to be able to attack and throw strikes and give the fielders a chance." More >
Video: BOS@BAL: Craig reaches on an error by Machado
Up and down night for Porcello: Rick Porcello started things by striking out the first five O's he faced before seeing a recurrence of his struggles with the long ball. He gave up his sixth home run in four starts this season after allowing just 18 all of last year. His final line was four runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over six-plus innings.
Video: BOS@BAL: Porcello fans Davis to record 5th straight K
Gonzalez gives 'pen reprieve: Miguel Gonzalez gave the O's just their fourth start of six or more innings in 17 games this season, snapping an eight-game streak of fewer than six in the process. The righty wasn't dominant, but he worked his way out of a few jams and held Boston to four runs in the 91-pitch outing.
"I think we all know what we are capable of doing as starters. We all want to go six, seven, eight innings," Gonzalez said. "Right now, it's not going our way, but we just got to keep working hard at it and things will change, for sure." More >
Video: BOS@BAL: Gonzalez gets grounder to start double play
REPLAY REVIEW
The Red Sox challenged the caught stealing call on Dustin Pedroia to end the top of the seventh. The call stood and O's catcher Caleb Joseph was credited with the putout.
Video: BOS@BAL: Red Sox challenge out call at second in 7th
NAVARRO DEBUTS
Recalled before the game, Rey Navarro doubled -- off left fielder Ramirez's head -- and scored in the fifth inning. It marked his first Major League hit. He added a sacrifice bunt in a 1-for-3 debut.
Video: BOS@BAL: Navarro doubles for first hit of his career
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Orioles' five-game losing streak is their longest since dropping six in a row from Sept. 19-24, 2013.
QUOTABLE
"Nobody's going to feel sorry for us. This is not the type of club that's going to wallow around in self pity. Heck, they lost a tough game last night in Tampa. Everybody's got their challenges. But it's self-inflicted. You don't point fingers. You just look in the mirror like we all do here."
-- Showalter, on the loss.
WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: Justin Masterson will try to beat Baltimore for the second time in less than a week when the two teams continue their set on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. ET. The right-hander (2-0, 5.74 ERA) picked up the win on Monday, allowing one run in five innings.
Orioles: Wei-Yin Chen will head to the mound to match up against Masterson once again. The southpaw had a rough outing on Monday, allowing five unearned runs on three hits and five walks with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
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