BOSTON — Instant reactions from the Red Sox’ 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Sunday:
1) The Red Sox scored 19 runs in a win over the Orioles in the first game of this four-game series Friday. They then scored eight runs over the next three games, including just two runs in the final two games.
The Red Sox split the series, 2-2, against the last-place Orioles who are just 18-34.
Boston went 5-5 on the homestand and dropped to a game below .500 (27-28).
2) Starter Walker Buehler pitched 5 innings. He gave up two runs, four hits and two walks while striking out three. He gave up a 374-foot home run to Dylan Carlson in the fifth inning that made it 2-0 Baltimore. Red Sox starters made it through at least five inning just four times in 10 games on the homestand.
3) Two errors the Red Sox in the eighth led to a Little League home run for Ryan O’Hearn.
It all started when Zack Kelly, who was promoted from Triple-A Worcester before the game, allowed a leadoff walk to Gunnar Henderson.
O’Hearn hit a double that dropped between center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and right fielder Wilyer Abreu. Rafaela’s throw into the infield sailed over the heads of Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer. The throw hit O’Hearn who was standing on second base. The ball deflected to the right side of the infield, allowing Henderson to score. O’Hearn took off for third base. Mayer chased it down and threw wild past third baseman Nick Sogard, allowing O’Hearn to score. It put Baltimore ahead 5-0.
4) Mayer recorded his first major league hit in his first at-bat Sunday. Mayer, a left-handed hitter, singled to the opposite field in left. It left his bat at 85.5 mph. He connected on a 93.5 mph fastball from Orioles starter Dean Kremer. His family is here after not being able to get a flight here for his last-minute MLB debut Saturday.
Mayer also doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning.
5) Jarren Duran went 4-for-5 with four singles. It was his eighth career four-hit game. It was his second four-hit game this season with the first coming April 27 at Cleveland.
6) Greg Weissert took over for Buehler in the fifth and allowed a 396-foot home run to O’Hearn.
7) The Red Sox begin a six-game road trip in Milwaukee on Monday. They play the Brewers Monday-Wednesday. They have a day off Thursday before playing the Braves in Atlanta Friday-Sunday. Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet (4-3, 1.98 ERA) is scheduled to pitch vs. Brewers righty Chad Patrick (2-4, 3.23 ERA) at 2:10 p.m. Monday.
