Their historic run ended later that day in a 5-1 loss in the nightcap, falling just short of outright club history.
The Red Sox inched toward setting a new franchise-record winning streak, turning around what once seemed like a lost season in the process. Though they fell just shy of getting that sweet 16th straight victory that would have put them alone in franchise lore, it was a run that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Tying an 80-Year-Old Franchise Record Against Baltimore
They equaled the 1946 American League champs, who were led by future Hall of Famer Ted Williams.
Jarren Duran had a two-run triple and a sacrifice fly, and Caleb Durbin — who hit a tiebreaking homer when they posted their 14th straight victory on Monday — chipped in with a two-run single. Ceddanne Rafaela added a solo home run for Boston in a makeup from Tuesday’s rainout. Christian Encarnacion-Strand had a solo homer for Baltimore, his second in two games.
Red Sox rookie left-hander Jake Bennnett (6-3) worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs — one coming on a sun-aided RBI double by Tyler O’Neill — on nine hits. He took a 102.8 mph liner off the stomach from Taylor Ward in the fifth, but remained in the game after being checked by a trainer, interim manager Chad Tracy and first baseman Willson Contreras, who appeared to make him breathe while telling him to lift his arms. Aroldis Chapman got the final three outs for his 23rd save and 390th of his career, tying Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for ninth all-time.
How Boston Climbed Out of an Early Season Hole
The day before this 23-game turnaround started, the Sox were 32-46 while trailing by 15 1/2 games in the American League East and six in the Wild Card standings. Since then, they’ve reeled off wins in 20 of their last 22 games, including 15 straight since July 3. The deficit in the East is down to seven games behind the Rays (59-42), and the Sox (52-49) hold possession of the third Wild Card spot by two games over the Mariners (51-52).
Veteran Leadership and the Clubhouse Message
When the Red Sox returned to the clubhouse Wednesday night after their historic 15-game winning streak ended at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, interim manager Chad Tracy planned to address his players to offer some encouragement.
Contreras said he and Gray wanted to make sure their teammates kept their heads up.
“I want everybody to feel proud of what we did. We tied a record since 1946, that’s not easy to do. We made history. We played good baseball for two weeks or more and we just lost one game. Winning and losing is part of the game so I don’t want anybody to feel down, but I want everybody to feel proud.”
Willson Contreras, Red Sox first baseman
The Streak Comes to an End Against the Orioles
It was Boston’s first loss since a 10-2 setback to the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on July 1.
Sources: Apnews.
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