Red Sox blow late lead, lose 9-4 in 10 innings as Orioles complete sweep

The Boston Red Sox suffered a disappointing defeat on Sunday, September 26, 2021, as they lost 9-4 to the Baltimore Orioles in a 10-inning game at Fenway Park. This loss marked the third consecutive win for the Orioles in the three-game series between these American League East division rivals.

Going into the game, the Red Sox held a slim lead in the division standings, with the New York Yankees hot on their heels. A win would have helped them maintain their position and potentially increase their advantage. However, they were unable to hold on to their late lead, allowing the Orioles to stage a comeback and secure the victory.

The Red Sox got off to a strong start, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Xander Bogaerts and an RBI double by Rafael Devers. They added another run in the third on an RBI single by Christian Arroyo, taking a 3-0 lead.

Boston's starter, Nathan Eovaldi, pitched well through six innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out six. However, the bullpen struggled in the seventh and eighth innings, allowing the Orioles to score four runs and tie the game.

In the top of the tenth inning, Baltimore took the lead on an RBI single by Anthony Santander and added two more runs on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly by Austin Hays. The Red Sox were unable to mount a comeback in their final at-bats, and the game ended with a 9-4 score in favor of the Orioles.

The loss was a frustrating one for the Red Sox, who had numerous opportunities to extend their lead throughout the game but were unable to capitalize. They left ten men on base and went just 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position. The defeat also marked their seventh loss in their last ten games and dropped them to 78-77 on the season.

Meanwhile, the Orioles improved to 65-92 and moved within five games of .500 for the first time since May. They were led by starter John Means, who pitched six and two-thirds innings of one-run ball, and reliever Cole Sulser, who earned the win with two and a third scoreless innings of relief.

With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Red Sox now face an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot. They will look to bounce back when they travel to Toronto for a three-game series against the Blue Jays starting on Tuesday. The Orioles, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum when they host the New York Yankees for a four-game series starting on Thursday.