Red Sox Extend Winning Streak to 14 Games Over Orioles

Red Sox Keep Rolling After Dramatic Late‑Inning Homer

Caleb Durbin launched a tie‑breaking blast over the Green Monster with two outs in the eighth, lifting Boston to a 6‑5 win and stretching the club’s run to 14 straight victories. The triumph marks the second‑longest streak in Red Sox history and puts them just one win shy of the franchise’s 1946 record of 15 consecutive wins. Manager Alex Cora’s lineup kept the pressure on the Orioles, who entered the game on a season‑best seven‑game winning streak.

Christian Encarnacion‑Strand, recalled from Triple‑A four days earlier, delivered a crucial homer and a run‑scoring single for Baltimore. The Orioles’ defensive woes continued, as four errors allowed Boston to collect two unearned runs. The mistakes ultimately proved costly, handing the Red Sox the momentum they needed to clinch the game.

Key Offensive Sparks and Defensive Lapses

Durbin’s solo shot came off Tyler Wells (2‑2) and sparked a celebration at Boston’s dugout. Earlier, Encarnacion‑Strand sent a pitch over the Monster in the fifth, and his late RBI single paired with Jeremiah Jackson’s hit gave the Red Sox a 4‑3 edge in the sixth. Ceddanne Rafaela answered in the bottom half with a two‑out RBI single that tied the contest at 5‑5, setting the stage for Durbin’s heroics.

Baltimore’s offense surged in the seventh when Tyler O’Neill’s grounder produced an RBI, but second baseman Anthony Seigler’s errant handle killed a potential double play. The Orioles never recovered after Boston rallied, committing additional fielding mistakes that amplified the unearned runs.

Pitching performances and outlook

Garrett Whitlock (5‑1) recorded a spotless eighth inning, while Aroldis Chapman secured his 22nd save after a routine groundout finished the game. On the mound for Baltimore, Shane Baz surrendered four runs—two earned—over six innings, striking out six. Boston’s Payton Tolle yielded four runs in 5 ⅔ frames, fanning nine batters.

Looking ahead, the Orioles will face RHP Kyle Bradish (6‑8, 3.61 ERA) on Tuesday, while the Red Sox contemplate either activating LHP Ranger Suárez (4‑3, 3.15 ERA) from the injured list or deploying a bullpen strategy. Both clubs are keen to build on the momentum of this high‑scoring contest.

The result not only fuels Boston’s title charge but also underscores the fine margins between victory and defeat in modern baseball. With the 1946 benchmark looming, the Red Sox will aim to make history in their next outing.