Early grand slam costs Red Sox in 4-1 loss to Orioles
BALTIMORE – The Boston Red Sox (16-18) had a chance to reach the .500 mark for the first time in 2019, but saw that opportunity slip away for now with a 4-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Villar hit a grand slam off Red Sox starter Josh Smith in the second inning. That was all the offense Baltimore would need for the night.
Smith gave up five hits in 3 1/3 innings in his first start in a Red Sox uniform. He struck out three and walked two.
Smith had not made a big league start since 2016, when he started two games for the Cincinnati Reds.
Right-hander Ryan Weber, who was called up from Pawtucket earlier in the day, tossed four innings of scoreless relief to help ease the burden on the Red Sox bullpen.
Orioles left-hander John Means was excellent over seven innings of work. He gave up one run on three hits and struck out four.
Eduardo Nunez drove in Boston’s lone run with a fifth inning sacrifice fly.
The Red Sox will turn to Hector Velazquez (0-2, 3.72 ERA) for Tuesday’s start in place of David Price, who went on the Injured List with an elbow issue earlier on Monday. Baltimore will counter with left-hander David Hess (1-4, 5.34 ERA).
