BOSTON -- Massachusetts native Craig Albernaz spent his childhood going to games at Fenway Park. He recalls sitting down the right-field line with an obstructed view for his first game at the storied park.
But on Tuesday night, the Orioles’ manager had a front-row seat to watch his team continue their recent strong stretch with a 4-2 series-opening win over the Red Sox. After finishing their homestand 7-3, the Orioles opened a six-game road trip through Boston and Toronto with a solid win against their AL East rivals.
Over the past two weeks, the Orioles have compiled wins by way of offensive rout, late-inning comeback, walk-off or a dominant outing from their starter. Tuesday’s win came with less dramatics, but represented something more sustainable.
“We're playing great team baseball right now,” Albernaz said. “Running the bases well. Defense has been outstanding. Starting pitching has been great. Bullpen has been keeping us afloat, especially when we weren't playing our best. Offensively we're starting to hit our stride, just not being one dimensional.”
Setting the tone for the complete team win was starter Shane Baz, who delivered his fourth consecutive quality start, giving up just two runs over seven innings and striking out six. Since his seven-inning outing against the Nationals on May 15, Baz has focused not on perfection, but on attacking the zone and challenging hitters to put the ball in play.
The result? Efficient pitching and more strikes. Baz finished Tuesday night with a 68 percent strike rate (64 of 94 pitches) to follow up a 69 percent strike rate his last time out against the Rays, his former team. The 26-year-old righty is a key part of an Orioles rotation that has compiled a 2.40 ERA over its past 13 games.
“The biggest thing is the throwing strikes,” Albernaz said. “When you throw strikes, it gives you the ability to get deeper into the game, because they all have elite stuff. You're not a starting pitcher in this league without elite weapons and fastballs, honestly. These guys are doing a great job of attacking the strike zone.”
Backing up Baz to complete the team win was an offensive combination of small ball and power. Facing a lefty starter in Connelly Early, an Orioles offense which struggles against southpaws had their work cut out for them.
Enter Coby Mayo.
Mayo, who was celebrated by teammates for his recent engagement, put Baltimore on the board with a solo blast off Early which ricocheted off the Green Monster and was originally ruled a double. Upon review, Mayo had a game-tying solo homer for his seventh of the season.
Mayo is hitting .298 vs. left-handers, compared to the team’s .224 average against lefties.
“I think just sticking to my approach has been a big thing,” Mayo said. “Talking to [hitting coach] Dustin [Lind] and [assistant hitting coach] Brady [North] … thinking, ‘How is a pitcher going to attack me?’ And then sticking with that, playing in the box. And I feel like my moves are being really controlled, and I just like where I'm at.”
The following inning, Pete Alonso gave Baltimore the lead with a two-run blast over the Monster. Blaze Alexander gave the O’s a fourth run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
“Our lineup is so good at grinding out at-bats and kind of getting what they want and punishing guys,” Baz said. “The pitching has been great. I think our walks have been down. I feel like we’re challenging hitters a little more and just trusting our stuff. Our bullpen’s been really great all year. … We’ve got to just keep doing what we’re doing right now.”