IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Boston shortstop Alex Cora began warming in the Red Sox bullpen in the top of the eighth inning. The Red Sox would score, and Cora sat down, but the gesture was enough to believe Boston had given up on the game with plenty of outs remaining.
O’S FANS CHEERED …
When Brian Roberts went with a Clay Buchholz pitch on the outside corner with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning. Roberts lined the first pitch he saw in the at bat into left field to plate two runs.
O’S FANS JEERED …
When Chris Waters fielded Jacoby Ellsbury’s bunt and threw it into right field with none out in the second. The sacrifice attempt was ruled a hit, but Ellsbury took second, and Kevin Cash scored on Waters’ throwing error.
FANTASY STUD …
Melvin Mora has been on an absolute tear ever since the All-Star break. Wednesday, he drove in five runs, including three on his 21st home run of the season in the fourth inning. Mora had 95 RBIs on the season — just nine shy of his single-season career best.
GOOD CALL …
By Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis to throw to second base when Jed Lowrie tagged-up in the third inning. Lowrie was bluffing, and so was Markakis, whose throw to shortstop Juan Castro snuck in behind Lowrie to get the out. It was Markakis’ 13th outfield assist.
BAD CALL …
By the Orioles to try Dennis Sarfate as a starter. The right-hander looked great in the middle innings Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk against three strikeouts in two innings of work.
IF ONLY …
Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp had a slightly longer reach. Crisp made a leaping attempt on Ramon Hernandez’s third inning home run and came inches from making an incredible catch. The 6-foot tall Crisp tumbled over the wall, landing head-first in the Orioles’ bullpen.
