Zach Eflin pitched six strong innings to improve to 4-0 since joining the Orioles, and Gunnar Henderson and Cedric Mullins each hit a home run in Baltimore’s 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.
Eflin, now 9-7, has won all four games he has started since Baltimore got him from Tampa Bay before the trade deadline. He gave up one run and five hits, striking out a season-high eight batters and not walking any.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde praised Eflin, saying, “He pitches to both sides of the plate extremely well, and he’s unbelievably prepared and (has a) great gameplan going in. When he executes, it’s tough to hit.”
With this win, the Orioles moved into a tie for first place in the AL East with the idle New York Yankees. Boston is eight games behind.
Nick Pivetta, who is now 5-8, gave up three runs and three hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked one, but two of the hits he allowed were home runs.
Henderson hit a home run for the second game in a row and his 31st of the year. His two-run homer in the fourth inning put the Orioles ahead 2-1. Mullins added a solo home run in the fifth inning.
Wilyer Abreu hit Boston’s only home run in the fourth inning.
Ryan Mountcastle contributed a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning, bringing in a run to make it 4-1.
In the seventh inning, Gregory Soto allowed two of the three batters he faced to reach base, but Burch Smith came in and got out of the situation with a double play.
Colton Cowser hit an RBI double in the seventh inning.
Boston reliever Chase Shugart made his major league debut, giving up a run and three hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, “Pounded the strike zone with good stuff. Wasn’t afraid. Nobody can take that away from him. He’s a big leaguer. Whatever happens in the future, it happens.”
