Baltimore’s Anthony Santander, left, and Trey Mancini celebrate after scoring on a double by Maikel Franco in the first inning Sunday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Steven Senne/Associated Press

BOSTON — The early returns certainly look good for the Baltimore Orioles.

For the Boston Red Sox, it looks a lot like last season.

Boston fell to its first 0-3 start at Fenway Park since 1948 and its second ever, as Trey Mancini and Austin Hays hit two-run doubles during a seven-run third inning that carried the Orioles to an 11-3 win Sunday.

Cedric Mullins went 5 for 5 with three doubles and walk for the Orioles, collecting four hits in the first four innings. Maikel Franco added a first-inning, two-run double, helping Baltimore to its first three-game sweep at Fenway since Aug. 25-27, 2017.

“I think the synergy we have is really strong,” Mullins said. “Guys have been playing with each other for a few years now.”

In last year’s pandemic-shortened season, the Orioles finished fourth in the AL East with a 25-35 record, coming off 108 losses in 2019 and a club-record high 115 the previous year.

Advertisement

Boston is coming off a 24-36 record last year – its worst winning percentage since 1965.

“We got beat in every aspect of the game,” Boston Manager Alex Cora said. “We’re off to a rough start.”

The Red Sox lost their first four home games in 1948, then rebounded to tie Cleveland for first place at 96-58 before losing a tiebreaker playoff.

Making just his third major league appearance, Baltimore left-hander Bruce Zimmerman gave up three runs and four hits in six innings, with five strikeouts and one walk, for his first MLB victory.

“It’s a long season, but, if anything, it gives a great confidence booster for this team,” Zimmerman said. “I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people this season.”

The Orioles held the Red Sox to five total runs in the series.

Advertisement

“You’ve got to pitch in this league and we pitched these three games,” Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde said. “We got really good starts from three guys and our bullpen did a good job coming in and throwing strikes.”

J.D. Martinez had a solo homer and an RBI double for the Red Sox.

Boston starter Garrett Richards was chased with no outs in the third after loading the bases. He was charged with six runs and seven hits.

“It’s three games into the season, kind of an early panic button,” Richards said. “If we invested our entire take on three games, I don’t think anybody would be able to predict a World Series winner. This is one series.”

Richards loaded the bases with two walks and a single before Josh Taylor relieved. Freddy Galvis drew a four-pitch walk, and Hays doubled to left.

Three batters later, Mancini doubled to center. A passed ball by Christian Vazquez allowed a run to score, and Taylor gave up Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI single.

Advertisement

TERRIBLE LINE

Taylor faced eight batters and got just two outs – both strikeouts. He gave up five hits and four runs.

NICE BEGINNING

Boston right-hander Garrett Whitlock pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his major league debut, striking out five.

NICE THOUGHT

Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said before the game that Mancini should be the Comeback Player of the Year.

Advertisement

Mancini missed the 2020 season because of Stage 3 colon cancer. He completed six months of chemotherapy and returned in spring training.

“He should be the Comeback Player of the Year, regardless,” Cora said. “He could hit .330 or .180, and he’s the Comeback Player of the Year already. I know there are other guys coming back from injury, but to comeback from that is amazing.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: Hays left the game because of right hamstring discomfort after sliding into second base. … Manager Brandon Hyde said right-hander Shawn Armstrong could be activated from the paternity list on Monday. The pitcher’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to a baby boy Wednesday.

Red Sox: Cora said before the game that “everything is trending that he’ll be with us” about lefty starter Eduardo Rodríguez, who started the season on the injured list because of left elbow inflammation. Rodríguez pitched a simulated game Friday at the club’s new Triple-A facility in Worcester, Mass.

 


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.