The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles squared off on a muggy Monday night at Camden Yards, and what a contest it turned out to be! The Red Sox, riding a hot streak, managed to edge out the Orioles 4-3 in a game packed with drama, clutch homers, and a little bit of everything baseball fans could ask for.
From the very first pitch, it was clear this was going to be a hard-fought battle. Boston wasted no time getting on the scoreboard—Roman Anthony, stepping up as the game’s first batter, launched a powerful solo home run into the right-center field seats. That leadoff blast was not just Anthony’s first career leadoff homer, but it also set the tone for a night where the long ball would play a starring role.
But the Orioles weren’t about to let the Red Sox run away with it. In the bottom of the second, Colton Cowser answered right back, crushing a solo homer of his own off Boston’s Richard Fitts. That tied things up, and the Baltimore crowd got fired up. The Orioles then took the lead in the third inning, thanks to a patient approach at the plate. After Gunnar Henderson walked, Ryan Mountcastle was hit by a pitch, and Coby Mayo worked a walk to load the bases, Cowser delivered again. With two outs and the count 1-and-2, he drilled a single through the right side, scoring two more runs and giving Baltimore a 3-1 edge. At that moment, it looked like the Orioles were in control.
Tomoyuki Sugano, the Orioles’ 35-year-old rookie from Japan, had been on a tear lately—he hadn’t lost in his last seven starts, and just six days earlier he’d stifled Boston’s bats. But on this night, Sugano’s command wavered at the worst possible time. After cruising through four innings, he ran into trouble in the fifth. Connor Wong singled, Roman Anthony followed with another hit, and then Jarren Duran stepped up and changed the entire complexion of the game. Sugano left a splitter over the plate, and Duran didn’t miss. He hammered a three-run home run, erasing the Orioles’ lead and putting the Red Sox up 4-3.
That was Duran’s 13th homer of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Boston. Duran has been on a tear himself, reaching base in 19 straight games—matching his career high and currently the longest streak in the majors. "I just wanted to put a good swing on it and help the team win," Duran said after the game, his confidence showing through. The Red Sox dugout erupted, sensing the momentum shift.
For Sugano, it was a tough pill to swallow. He finished with four runs allowed on six hits in six innings, absorbing his first loss since early July. The MASN broadcast summed it up best: “Sugano didn’t have his best command today, and the home run ball was a problem.” Indeed, two costly homers—one to Anthony, one to Duran—proved to be his undoing.
The Orioles had their chances to claw back. In the fourth, Gunnar Henderson made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch to rob Nathaniel Lowe of a hit, a play that had even Sugano chuckling at the defensive wizardry. In the fifth, however, the Orioles’ bats went cold. Boston’s Richard Fitts, who started after a lefty opener in Brennan Bernardino, managed to hold Baltimore scoreless in the fifth before leaving due to right biceps tightness. "I’m going to be evaluated tomorrow, but I’m feeling pretty good right now," Fitts told reporters, offering a bit of optimism about his status.
Boston’s bullpen then took over and slammed the door. Steven Matz, now pitching in relief for the Red Sox, induced a double play to erase a one-out single in the sixth. In the seventh, Dylan Carlson doubled to lead off, but a controversial call at third base was overturned on review, erasing a key Orioles threat. Jackson Holliday’s deep flyball that followed would have easily brought in a run had the call stood. Frustration was mounting for Baltimore, who finished the night just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position—a stat that’s haunted them in recent games.
Garrett Whitlock came on in the eighth and struck out the side after Henderson doubled to start the inning. The Orioles’ best hitters couldn’t break through, with Mountcastle and Coby Mayo both going down swinging. "We had our chances, but their bullpen was tough," said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. "You have to give them credit for making pitches when it mattered most."
Then it was time for Aroldis Chapman, who’s been absolutely lights-out for Boston. Chapman worked a perfect ninth, notching his 25th save in 27 tries. He hasn’t allowed a hit in his last 13 appearances, setting a new Red Sox record for consecutive hitless outings. The Orioles’ last gasp fell short—Basallo flew out, Carlson lined out to third, and Vázquez popped up to end it. Some nights, the breaks just don’t go your way.
On the night, Colton Cowser was a bright spot for Baltimore, finishing with three RBIs and a solo homer. The Orioles’ defense also shone at times, with Henderson’s highlight-reel catch standing out. But the inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position proved costly. The Red Sox, meanwhile, got just enough offense and leaned on a bullpen that’s quickly becoming one of the most reliable in baseball.
Looking ahead, the Orioles are set for a big moment on Tuesday: Kyle Bradish will make his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He’ll face Boston’s Lucas Giolito (8-2, 3.72 ERA), in what promises to be another intriguing matchup. Both teams have plenty to play for, with Boston trying to keep pace near the top of the division and Baltimore hoping to bounce back from a frustrating loss.
This series is far from over, and with the way these teams have been battling, fans can expect more fireworks as the week rolls on. If Monday’s game was any indication, neither side is backing down. The Red Sox have now won four of their last five, surging at just the right time, while the Orioles look to regroup and get their bats going again. Baseball in late August—there’s nothing quite like it!
As the teams prepare for the next round, one thing’s for sure: every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive gem could make the difference. For now, Boston holds the edge, but with Bradish’s return and the Orioles’ resilient spirit, anything can happen in this heated AL East showdown.
