Jayson Aquino went six strong innings to pick up his first major league win as the Orioles beat the Red Sox, 4-2.
Player of Game:
Jayson Aquino gets the player of the game for picking up his first major league win in his first major league start.
Starting Pitching:
– Jayson Aquino made his 1st major league start and came out looking sharp in the first. With Caleb Joseph behind the plate, he worked mostly away with an 87-90 MPH fastball that has a little cut action to the pitch while mixing in his slider, curve and change inducing two pop ups and two ground balls, one of which was called a single on ball that took a bad hop on Jonathan Schoop. He worked in and out of jams but was able to make the good pitches when he needed them. His final line, 6 IP, 6H, 2ER, 3BB and 2K.
Highlighted hitting moments:
– In the bottom of the 4th Steven Wright‘s knuckleball became pretty hittable as the Orioles started hitting him around. After Chris Davis hit a double off the top of the RF scoreboard, Trey Mancini crushed a low inside knuckleball into the Red Sox bullpen. Schoop then made up for his misplay earlier in the game by hitting a back to back jack. Two batters later Joseph hit a double to right center before getting knocked in by an Adam Jones two out single to make it 4-2 Orioles.
Highlighted pitching moments:
– In the 3rd, Aquino left a slider in the middle of the plate that Jackie Bradley Jr. crushed onto Eutaw street for a 2-0 Red Sox lead.
– in the top of the 5th, after allowing a single and walk with one out, Aquino got Mookie Betts to pop up before striking out Hanley Ramirez on a 3-2 low and in changeup to get out of the jam.
– In the 6th, Aquino pitched out of a 1st and 3rd two out jam by getting Marco Hernandez to ground out on his 99th and last pitch of the night.
– Mychal Givens came on and pitched a perfect 7th and 8th inning against the top of the Red Sox batting order.
– Donnie Hart came on and got two right-handers out before hitting left-handed hitting Hernandez. Darren O’Day came in and got Bogarts to line out weakly to Schoop on the first pitch he threw for the save.
Highlighted defensive plays
– A bad hop hit Schoop on a backhand attempt and went off into right field. It was ruled a hit.
– In the 3rd inning, Schoop took a step in the wrong direction on a routine groundball to his left that ended up a single in right field. Bradley would homer on the next at bat so this misplay cost the team a run.
– In the 7th, Givens showed off his old shortstop skills with two great plays from the mound.
