Steven Wright pitched a solid 6.2 innings, the bullpen backed him with 5.1 scoreless frames, and the Boston Red Sox picked up a pair of runs in the 12th inning Monday night, to pick up a 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles in 12 innings at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The bullpen was once again solid in Bostons 44th win as Joe Kelly, Brian Johnson, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, and Craig Kimbrel combined to allow just one hit and strikeout nine in the 5.1 innings. Kelly got out of a bases loaded jam by striking out Adam Jones in the seventh. Kimbrel struck out two in the bottom of the 12th to pick up his 21st save.
Brock Holt and Jackie Bradley Jr. lifted consecutive sacrifice flies for RBI in the decisive 12th inning, and Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts each had two hits as well for Boston. Boston is now in a first place tie with the New York Yankees in the A.L. East. Mookie Betts also returned from a left abdominal strain injury and went 1-5 in the game with a single.
Wright allowed no runs, four hits, three walks, with five strikeouts in his second straight quality start. Wright extended his scoreless innings streak to 22.2. It is the longest active streak in the majors. Hembree (3-1) picked up the win in relief.
Eduardo Rodriguez (7-1) will head to the mound in game two of the series on Tuesday night. David Hess takes the ball for Baltimore.
