Orioles suffer worst loss of 2nd half, 12-3 to Red Sox, fall 1 1/2 behind Yankees; Santander hits 40th home run

BOSTON– What happened? The day started with a new Orioles batting order featuring Cedric Mullins batting second and Adley Rutschman dropped from second to fifth.

The night ended with the Orioles’ worst defeat of the second half of the season, 12-3 to the Boston Red Sox and a 1 ½ game deficit to the New York Yankees in the American League East after New York’s 10-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Cade Povich allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings. Burch Smith gave up four while retiring just two batters. Craig Kimbrel and Cole Irvin gave up two more each.

Mullins was hitless in two at-bats and was hit by a pitch and made a terrific catch in center field. Rutschman was 2-for-5, and Anthony Santander hit his 40^th home run.

“I actually thought our at-bats were better early,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I thought we were more competitive offensively tonight. Nice to see Rutsch get going with some good swings. But once Cade came out we had a tough time with the bullpen.”

Rob Refsnyder and Tyler O’Neill hit back-to-back home runs twice. Refsnyder had five RBIs and four hits.

The Orioles scored runs in the first and fourth, but left the bases loaded in both innings. They left 11 on base and were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

“Our guys are grinding, there’s no doubt,” Hyde said. “We’ve got to just turn the page on this and come back tomorrow. Not a whole lot went right tonight. Wasted a couple opportunities and just had a tough time putting zeroes up out of the bullpen.”

How did Povich pitch? Povich allowed four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five as his record dropped to 2-8.

“I thought it wasn’t too bad,” Povich said of his pitches. “I thought a couple pitches were on the edges, but just left a little too up. And then, the fastball, I think to O’Neill, was up but maybe just not up enough. But I mean, overall, I thought the stuff was all right at the beginning, and then, I think those last couple innings, it was trending toward the right direction, getting better, starting to get back in a groove.”

It was Povich’s fifth road start and three of them have been at storied ballparks — Yankee Stadium, Dodger Stadium and Fenway Park. He didn’t win any of them.

“It’s been the same kind of mantra or maybe the same thing I’ve been saying since getting called back up,” Povich said. “Just wanted to continue to see the aggression in the zone. I think this might have been — correct me if I’m wrong — maybe the first game since being called up I had more than one walk.

“Had two, but overall, still think I was in the zone pretty well. Making competitive pitches, obviously. A couple on the edges that were still a little too good that they were able to put in play. But you know, starting to settle in, and that’s all it is, is just starting to settle in, find those things, when I can make pitches that are there and when not to.”

Hyde didn’t think Povich had his best stuff.

“He gave up four runs there, back-to-back homers. I just didn’t think he had his offspeed command,” he said. “I thought the fastball was good with a mostly all-righty lineup. Just didn’t execute his offspeed  pitches. He did keep us in the game, got into the fifth only giving up four runs, but for me he wasn’t as sharp as he was last time out.”

What about Mullins’ catch? Though it turned out to save only one run in a nine-run loss, Mullins made another outstanding catch, taking away an extra-base hit from Jarren Duran leading off the third.

Mullins sprinted from left-center toward right-center and caught the drive with a fully extended dive.

“The ball’s in the air, I thought it was for sure in the gap,” Povich said. “When I saw Cedric run, I was like, ‘He might have a chance.’ Some of the plays he’s made for me and for other guys, it really wasn’t any surprise. He’s unbelievable to have in center field.”

Mullins has made several notable catches this season, but he’s no longer ranking them.

“I think I was done ranking a couple of plays ago,” Mullins said. “It was definitely up there. It was a good one.”

It was one where he was unsure that he had it.

“No, it was just one of those where you’re on your horse, you get to it as good as you can,” Mullins said. “It’s a moment that keeps someone off the bases, for sure and made the play.”

What does the Roberto Clemente award mean? Orioles catcher James McCann is the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente award.

“It’s very special. The Clemente Award, it’s a different award, obviously. It’s what you do in the community, what you do off the field,” McCann said.  “What Roberto Clemente stands for, who he was, obviously, as a player and then just who he was to his community. Words don’t really describe what it is to be viewed in that same light. Being nominated for that, it’s a very special award. I’m proud of it, and I feel very strongly that using my platform to be able to impact the community in a positive way is very important.”

Each team nominates a player, and the winner of the award is announced during the World Series.

What does it mean? The Orioles are 24-25 since the All-Star break, and are fortunate to trail the Yankees by only 1 ½ games in the AL East.

What’s the word? “I think the biggest part was for me to stop chasing that season. That season was awesome, but at the same time, I think the reason I’m putting up numbers that are similar to it is because I’m no longer chasing that guy. I’m just being who I am.”-Mullins on trying to forget about 2021 when he became the first Oriole to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.

What’s the stat of the day? 8. Santander is the eighth Oriole to hit 40 home runs in a season. Besides Santander, Chris Davis, who hit 53 in 2013 and 47 in 2015, Brady Anderson, Frank Robinson, Mark Trumbo, Jim Gentile. Rafael Palmeiro and Nelson Cruz.

“He’s had a heck of a year,” Hyde said. “I’m proud of him for how far he’s come in our years together here, and to see a guy with 40 homers, that’s a special milestone. Even in a game like this, it’s something to celebrate. Not many guys can do that, a switch-hitter hitting 40 homers.”

What’s next? Albert Suárez (7-5, 3.49) will face Kutter Crawford (8-13, 4.08)  in the second game of the three-game series. Fans outside the Baltimore viewing area will be able to watch on TBS. Baltimore-area viewers will be able to watch on MASN as usual. Game time is 7:10 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimAoreBaseball.com