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    Monday, May 13, 2024

    Red Sox pitchers struggle in 18-7 loss to Orioles

    Red Sox manager John Farrell, left, and Dustin Pedroia sit in the dugout during Sunday's 18-7 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

    Baltimore — The game was still in the third inning, and Wade Miley was already done pitching after another ineffective start.

    On this day, Miley was merely one of several Boston Red Sox pitchers victimized by a seemingly endless barrage of hits by the Orioles.

    Delmon Young drove in five runs, Chris Davis homered and Baltimore received a bounce-back pitching performance from Bud Norris in an 18-7 victory Sunday.

    The Orioles took control with a six-run third inning and led 12-0 in the sixth. Baltimore finished with 20 hits in its most prolific offensive outing since 2006.

    Five of Boston's pitchers allowed at least one run, beginning with Miley (1-2), who gave up six earned runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings. It was the second time in four starts this season the left-hander failed to go three innings.

    "It's embarrassing. I know I'm better than this," Miley said. "I'm not even giving us ... a chance at all."

    Afterward, manager John Farrell was asked if Miley's spot in the rotation was in jeopardy.

    "We just walked off the field," he said. "We haven't discussed that yet."

    Farrell said Miley's biggest issue thus far has been allowing a bad situation to get worse.

    "He's been the victim of a big inning," the manager said. "Being able to slow it down and minimize the damage in the inning, that's been elusive right now."

    Norris (1-2) came in with a 17.42 ERA but didn't allow a runner past second base until Pablo Sandoval hit a three-run drive in the seventh, his first home run with Boston since signing as a free agent in November.

    Hanley Ramirez followed Sandoval's long ball with a solo shot off Jason Garcia and added a three-run homer off Garcia in the ninth.

    None of that mattered, because the Boston pitching staff had its worst outing since a 20-2 loss at Oakland in August 2012.

    "I will say in general, we have to do better in all phases of the game," Farrell said, "and it starts with how the game is controlled from the mound."

    Davis, Jimmy Paredes and Steve Pearce each contributed three RBI to the Orioles' second straight win following a five-game skid.

    After scoring an unearned run in the second inning, Baltimore sent 10 batters to the plate in the third.

    Miley issued two straight four-pitch walks to force in a run, then gave up an RBI single to Young before Davis hit a liner that glanced off the glove of center fielder Mookie Betts for a two-run double. Pearce chased Miley with a run-scoring bloop single and Paredes capped the uprising with an RBI grounder.

    Young singled in two runs in the fourth to make it 9-0. Navarro had an RBI single in the fifth and Davis hit a two-run drive in the sixth.

    Boston closed to 12-4 in the seventh, but Baltimore answered with six runs in the bottom half, the key hit a two-run double by Young.

    Stat pack

    Red Sox: Ramirez's next HR will be his 200th ... Miley lost his first April road game in 11 career starts (4-1). ... The Red Sox went 2-4 on a road trip that began in Tampa Bay. They allowed 19 runs in the first five games before surrendering 18 in the finale.

    Orioles: Navarro had his first career RBI and his first three-hit game. ... The Orioles have 14 errors in 19 games compared to nine at the same time last year.

    Trainer's room

    Red Sox: RHP Matt Barnes, recalled Saturday after OF Shane Victorino (hamstring) went on the DL, was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. RHP Heath Hembree was recalled to take his place.

    Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy (left shoulder strain) will need only three or four rehabilitation games after he's ready to go on assignment, Showalter said.

    On deck

    Red Sox: Boston RHP Joe Kelly (1-0, 4.08 ERA) faces his fourth different AL East foe this season, at home against Toronto tonight.

    Orioles: Baltimore plays its first game against a non-division opponent, sending Ubaldo Jimenez to the mound tonightagainst the visiting Chicago White Sox.

    Red Sox starting pitcher Wade Miley was ineffective during an 18-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday at Camden Yards. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

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