BALTIMORE (AP) — Albert Suarez delivered another scoreless start for Baltimore, and Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson each hit a home run to help the Orioles to a 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday and a tie in their four-game series.
Suárez (6-4) briefly returned to the bullpen after the trade deadline, but an injury to Grayson Rodriguez means the Orioles need him back in the rotation. He has made three straight starts — 17 2/3 innings total — without allowing a run, and after losing the first two, Baltimore was able to prevail in this game despite being outhit by 11-3.
Suárez allowed seven hits and had six strikeouts with no walks in six innings. He struck out Tyler O’Neill on a full count after the first two batters reached base in the fourth inning, and although two more batters reached base in the sixth inning, the 34-year-old right-hander managed three strikeouts in that inning.
“He’s really professional and mature,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “He just transitions to the next pitch really, really well because he has many years of experience here and abroad.”
Three relievers finished the game. Seranthony Domínguez came in with a three-run lead in the eighth inning and knocked Romy Gonzalez out with a popup with the bases loaded. He allowed a home run by Rob Refsnyder with one out in the ninth inning but held on for his third save since being traded to the Orioles before the deadline.
The Orioles moved to within a half-game of the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who played Detroit later Sunday, while Boston fell to 3 1/2 games behind Kansas City and now holds the final wild-card spot in the American League.
“Every game is important for us,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. ”We have a good team. We’re in the race.”
Kutter Crawford (8-10) allowed three runs and two hits in 5 1/3 innings, a step in the right direction after allowing 26 runs in 24 innings in his previous five starts. Rutschman’s solo home run opened the scoring. Then Baltimore got men on first and second base without striking out anyone in the sixth inning.
Ryan O’Hearn hit a grounder to first base, but as the Red Sox attempted a double play, shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela threw a wild ball to first base, resulting in an error and bringing home a run.
Henderson then greeted Bailey Horn with a two-run home run, his 33rd of the season.
Rafaela hit an RBI single in the eighth.
