Pro Sports

Davis 3-run HR off Kimbrel lifts Orioles past Red Sox 9-7

Posted April 11, 2016 7:00 am

By KYLE HIGHTOWER

Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis watches his three-run homer along with Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) - The Orioles knew they were taking their unblemished record into a tough environment against a Red Sox team primed to perform in David Ortiz's final home opener at Fenway Park.

Baltimore won with offense that had been missing during recent trips to Boston.

Chris Davis hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off new Boston closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning and drove in five runs, carrying the Orioles over the Red Sox 9-7 Monday.

The Orioles improved to 6-0 and remain the lone unbeaten team in the major leagues. They had been shut out in their previous three trips to Fenway, outscored 17-0.

"In that situation right there, I'm just not trying to do too much. I'm just trying to see the ball and put a good swing on it," Davis said of his third homer in five games. "I didn't necessarily need a three-run home run. But we'll take it."

Kimbrel (0-1), the All-Star reliever acquired in an offseason trade from San Diego, entered with the score 6-6. He walked Caleb Joseph with one out and Manny Machado with two outs, then gave up Davis' home run to center on a 97 mph pitch.

Mookie Betts homered off Zach Britton leading off the bottom half, and Boston had two on and no outs when Ortiz grounded into a double play. Britton then struck out Hanley Ramirez for his third save.

Though it didn't materialize, Red Sox manager John Farrell said the thought of some of Big Papi's past heroics did enter his mind.

"Possibly the setup for the dramatic moment," Farrell said after the game. "He's risen to the occasion so many times."

As excited as he was about his team's late-inning offensive showing, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he has a very levelheaded clubhouse.

"Our guys are very reality based and understand it doesn't mean much of anything," Showalter said. "They're more interested in winning at the end of the season."

Davis also had a two-run single in the third against new Red Sox ace David Price, signed to a $217 million deal during the offseason. Price had been 6-1 with 1.95 ERA in 11 regular-season starts at Fenway Park but allowed five runs and five hits in five innings with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Brad Brach (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth for the win.

Xander Bogaerts and Ortiz hit RBI singles in a three-run second off Yovani Gallardo, who gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.

Baltimore took a 5-3 lead in the third, when Machado hit an RBI single and scored on Mark Trumbo's first home run for the Orioles, a two-run drive.

While it might be early, Davis said it is encouraging that his team, which has received criticism at times about its ability to manufacture runs, was able to come through when it mattered.

"I'm proud of how we're playing," Davis said. Everybody knows once it heats up, the ball's going to start flying, and guys are going to start hitting the ball out of the ballpark. It's good to see these quality at-bats early on."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: CF Adam Jones missed his fourth straight game with rib soreness. Showalter said Jones is "very close" he hopes Jones, who hasn't played since the opener on April 4, can return during the three-game series.

Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (dislocated right knee) threw 36 pitches during two simulated innings in a bullpen session Sunday. His next session will be Wednesday. Carson Smith (strained flexor muscle) is also slated a bullpen session Wednesday.

RECORD BOOK

Baltimore set a new franchise record, winning their sixth straight game to open the season, and 11th straight overall dating back to September of last year.

HOME RUNS APLENTY

The Orioles have homered in five straight games since their second game of the season. In all six different players have hit a total of 10 home runs.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Mike Wright will be making his season debut Tuesday night after twice having it postponed because of rainouts.

Red Sox: RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0), who starts Tuesday, allowed five runs in four innings at Cleveland in his first outing.

___

Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower

Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis receives congratulations at the dugout after his three-run homer against the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles' Mark Trumbo is congratulated at the plate from teammate Manny Machado (13) after his three-run homer against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz returns to the dugout after hitting into a double play in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. The Orioles won 9-7. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz hits a double as Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph watches in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price reacts after striking out Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters to end the fifth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles left fielder Mark Trumbo chases a double off the wall by Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) The Associated Press

Robert Hoatson, of West Orange, N.J., left, hands out leaflets to baseball fans in Kenmore Square near Fenway Park, Monday, April 11, 2016, before the home opener between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, in Boston. Hoatson, of the organization Road to Recovery, Inc., is advocating for sexual abuse victims saying the RedÃÂ Sox and Major League Baseball are refusing to help more than 20 abuse victims of former Red Sox clubhouse manager Donald Fitzpatrick, who died in 2005. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

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