Boston Red Sox Lose to Baltimore Orioles 9-7 in Home Opener

Chris Davis hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off new Boston closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning and drove in five runs, carrying the Baltimore Orioles over the Red Sox 9-7 Monday in David Ortiz's final home opener.

Kimbrel (0-1), the All-Star reliever acquired in an offseason trade from San Diego, entered with the score 6-6. He walked Caleb Joseph with one out and Manny Machado with two outs, then gave up Davis' home run to center on a 97 mph pitch.

Mookie Betts homered off Zach Britton leading off the bottom half, and Boston had two on and no outs when Ortiz grounded into a double play. Britton then struck out Hanley Ramirez for his third save.

Davis also had a two-run single in the third against new Red Sox ace David Price, signed to a $217 million deal during the offseason. Price had been 6-1 with 1.95 ERA in 11 regular-season starts at Fenway Park but allowed five runs and five hits in five innings with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Brad Brach (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth for the win.

Xander Bogaerts and Ortiz hit RBI singles in a three-run second off Yovani Gallardo, who gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.

Baltimore took a 5-3 lead in the third, when Machado hit an RBI single and scored on Mark Trumbo's first home run for the Orioles, a two-run drive.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: CF Adam Jones missed his fourth straight game with rib soreness. Manager Buck Showalter said Jones is "very close" he hopes Jones, who hasn't played since the opener on April 4, can return during the three-game series.

Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (dislocated right knee) threw 36 pitches during two simulated innings in a bullpen session Sunday. His next session will be Wednesday. Carson Smith (strained flexor muscle) is also slated a bullpen session Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Mike Wright will be making his season debut Tuesday night after twice having it postponed because of rainouts.

Red Sox: RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0), who starts Tuesday, allowed five runs in four innings at Cleveland in his first outing.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us