Mookie Betts Injured, But Red Sox Roll With 10-3 Win Over Orioles
The Boston Red Sox continued their franchise-best start to the 2018 season with a 10-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Saturday. They’re now up to 12-2, their best 14-game record in their history.
Unfortunately, the win may have come at a cost. Right fielder Mookie Betts had to leave the game after the second inning with a foot injury, later reported as a left foot contusion. X-rays were negative, but Betts’ status moving forward remains unclear.
Betts suffered the injury in a collision at home plate with Orioles catcher Chance Sisco as he scored on an RBI double by Andrew Benintendi in the bottom of the first inning. He tried to stay in the game, but couldn’t continue after another inning of work.
The Red Sox offense pounded the Orioles for 10 runs on 15 hits. Besides Betts (0-for-1 with a walk), third baseman Rafael Devers was the only Red Sox starter without a hit. Hanley Ramirez and J.D. Martinez both homered for the Red Sox.
Ramirez and Benintendi tied for the team lead with three RBIs each on the day. Jackie Bradley Jr. finished 1-for-3 at the plate, but made a pair of eye-popping defensive plays in the outfield.
Hector Velasquez earned the win to move to 2-0. He continued to pitch well as a fill-in starter for the Sox with five innings, two runs, six hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. He has a 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings so far, including two starts.
Up Next: The Red Sox and Orioles play again on Sunday at 1:05. Chris Sale (1-0, 1.06 ERA) takes on Dylan Bundy (0-1, 1.35 ERA) in a battle of aces.
Highlights
Hanley Ramirez homers in first inning:
That didn't take long. pic.twitter.com/EvZGRTBeSp
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 14, 2018
J.D. Martinez homers into the right field bullpen:
Keep 'em coming! 💪 pic.twitter.com/z4g6UuhYfk
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 14, 2018
Jackie Bradley Jr. dives to snag a line drive – as a right fielder:
Not routine, unless you’re JBJ. pic.twitter.com/jMFTxQbcdQ
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 14, 2018
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