BALTIMORE— Jonathan Villar hit a grand slam, John Means handcuffed Boston’s torrid offense over seven innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-1 Monday night.
Villar connected in the second inning off Josh Smith (0-1), who was making his first start with Boston. The drive came after Villar was robbed of a first-inning double when a fan reached over the 7-foot wall and interfered with left fielder J.D. Martinez’s effort to make a catch.
Villar’s second career slam was more than enough support for Means (4-3), who allowed one run and three hits, striking out four and walking none. Making his fifth career start and 10th appearance, the lefty shut down a power-laden lineup that scored 30 runs in three straight wins over the White Sox.
After Paul Fry got two outs in the eighth, Mychal Givens completed the three-hitter to earn his fourth save.
Christian Vazquez led off the fifth with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Eduardo Nunez for Boston’s only run. After winning six of seven, the Red Sox (17-19) were trying to get to .500 for the first time since March 29, when they were 1-1.
Boston’s streak of six consecutive games with a home run ended. The Red Sox clubbed a dozen long balls in that span and led the majors with 10 in May.
Smith gave up four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings. Signed as a minor league free agent last October, Smith pitched previously for Cincinnati and Oakland.
In the second inning, Smith gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases. After notching two straight strikeouts, the right-hander served up a curveball that Villar put well over the center-field wall.
STREAK OVER
Boston’s Mookie Betts went 0 for 4, ending his streak of reaching base in 28 successive games against Baltimore. … Red Sox DH Rafael Devers’ career-high run of reaching base in 19 straight games ended with an 0-for-3 outing. … Boston was 11-1 in its last 12 games at Camden Yards.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) will continue his rehab assignment by playing in three straight games for Double-A Portland beginning Tuesday, manager Alex Cora said. … Utility player Brock Holt (shoulder) could resume his rehabilitation assignment this weekend. He was placed on the IL with a scratched cornea but developed a sore shoulder while playing for Triple-A Pawtucket late last month.
Orioles: LHP Richard Bleier (shoulder tendinitis) will pitch for Class A Frederick on Tuesday. “We’re happy with the progress he’s making,” manager Brandon Hyde said.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.