BALTIMORE—After two frustrating losses to the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles turned to Albert Suárez. A week ago, Suárez pitched a career-high 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, but watched as the Orioles’ bullpen cost them a game at Tampa Bay.
Seven days later, Suárez threw six shutout innings, his eighth scoreless start, and got just enough bullpen help as the Orioles defeated the Red Sox, 4-2, and split their four-game series with Boston (65-58) before 27,104 at Camden Yards on Sunday.
Suárez (6-4) allowed seven singles and didn’t allow a runner to get to third, striking out six without walking a batter.
He had runners on in every inning except the first. In his last inning, the sixth, Suárez allowed a leadoff single to Trinto Casas and a two-out single to Masataka Yoshida while striking out three to leave with a 1-0 lead.
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Adley Rutschman, who hadn’t started the last two games because of lower back discomfort, led off the fifth with a home run against Boston starter Kutter Crawford. It was his 18th home run of the season, but his first since July 19th.
The Orioles (73-52) took a 4-0 lead in the sixth when Ramón Urías walked and Colton Cowser was hit on the right wrist with a pitch. Ryan O’Hearn grounded to first. Casas threw to shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela for the force. Rafaela threw wildly to first, enabling Urías to score.
Gunnar Henderson homered for the fourth time in five games, hitting his 33rd against left-hander Bailey Horn in the sixth.
Cionel Pérez threw a scoreless seventh and was removed for Yennier Cano after Casas walked and Rafael Devers doubled to start the eighth. Cano struck out Tyler O’Neil, who struck out for the fourth time in the game. He walked Yoshida to load the bases and struck out pinch-hitter Mickey Gasper before Rafaela singled.
Seranthony Dominguez relieved Cano, and he got Romy Gonzalez to foul out to Urías at third, ending the eighth. Rob Refsnyder hit his eighth home run with one out in the ninth. Dominguez struck out three batters in the ninth for his fourth save.
Crawford (8-10) allowed three runs on two hits in 5 2/3 innings.