Early returns certainly look good for the Baltimore Orioles. For the Boston Red Sox, it looks a lot like last season.
Boston fell in its second 0-3 start at Fenway Park and the first since 1948, as Trey Mancini and Austin Hays scored two-run doubles during a third seven-run inning that led the Orioles to win by 11. -3 on Sunday.
Cedric Mullins won 5 for 5 with three doubles and a walk for the Orioles, achieving four hits in the first four minutes. Maikel Franco added a first-half double and two runs, which helped Baltimore make its first win at Fenway from Aug. 25-27, 2017.
“I think the synergy we have is very strong,” Mullins said. “The boys have been playing with each other for a few years.”
In last year’s shortened pandemic season, the Orioles finished fourth in the Eastern American League with a 25-35 record, with 108 losses in 2019 and a club maximum in 115. This first record gives Baltimore their first advantage in a game at AL East since May 1, 2017.
Boston set a 24-36 record last year, its worst winning percentage since 1965.
“We’ve got rhythms in every aspect of the game,” Boston coach Alex Cora said. “Let’s start with a rough hard.”
The Red Sox lost their first four home games in 1948, bounced back to tie Cleveland 96-58 after the regular season of 154 games and lost an 8-3 playoff tie to Fenway.
Achieving his third major league appearance, Baltimore left-hander Bruce Zimmermann (1-0) gave up three runs and four hits in six innings with five strikeouts and a walk for his first win in the World Cup. MLB.
“It’s a long season, but in any case, it provides a great boost of confidence to this team,” Zimmermann said. “I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people this season.”
The Orioles held the Red Sox to five total runs in the series.
“You have to pitch in that league, and we’ve pitched those three games,” said Brandon Hyde, Orioles coach. “We had some really good starts from three guys, and our bullpen did a good job coming in and throwing strikes.”
JD Martinez had a solo man and a double RBI for the Red Sox.
Boston starter Garrett Richards (0-1) was chased without a start after loading the bases into the third. He was charged with six runs and seven counts.
“He’s three games into the season, kind of a panic button,” Richards said. “If we invested all of our participation in three games, I don’t think anyone would be able to predict a world series winner. This is a series.”
Richards loaded the bases with two runs and one before Josh Taylor relieved himself. Freddy Galvis equalized four steps and Hays made a double to the left.
Three batters later, Mancini doubled to center. Taylor threw a wild throw and gave up Ryan Mountcastle’s single RBI. In the end, Taylor faced eight batters, getting two outs (both eliminated) and giving up five hits and four runs.
Boston right-back Garrett Whitlock came in for Taylor and threw 3 unscored innings in 1/3 in his Major League debut, eliminating five.
BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT
Cora said before the match that Mancini should be the player of the year back.
“He should be the return player of the year, regardless,” Cora said. “He could hit .330 or .180, and he’s already the return player of the year. I know there are other guys coming back from injury, but coming back is amazing.”
Mancini missed the 2020 season due to stage 3 colon cancer, completed six months of chemotherapy and returned to spring training.
COACH’S ROOM
Oriols: Hays left the game after slipping into second base with discomfort in the right corner. … Manager Brandon Hyde said right-hander Shawn Armstrong could be activated Monday on the paternity list. The pitcher’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to a baby Wednesday.
Red Sox: Cora said before the game that “everything is a trend that will be with us” about left-back Eduardo Rodriguez, who started the season on the list of injured with a swollen elbow. Rodriguez presented a mock game Friday at the club’s new Triple-A facility in Worcester, Massachusetts.
UNTIL NEXT
Oriols: RHP Jorge Lopez is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Monday at Yankee Stadium. LHP Jordan Montgomery is online to launch in New York.
Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta is scheduled to make his season debut against Tampa Bay on Monday at Fenway. Michael Wacha will start his first start with the Rays after signing a one-year, $ 3 million contract in December.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.