Nick Pivetta throws seven innings as Crimson Sox clean AL East champion Orioles 3-0

Crimson Sox

Pivetta struck out 10 and solely allowed two hits within the begin.

Nick Pivetta’s robust begin helped the Crimson Sox shutout the Orioles at Camden Yards on Friday. (AP Picture/Julio Cortez) (AP Picture/Julio Cortez)

By NOAH TRISTER, Related Press

  • Watch: One-on-one with Crimson Sox Corridor-of-Famer Pedro Martinez

  • Alex Cora says he expects Chris Sale to start out Opening Day 2024

BALTIMORE (AP) — 4 begins into his comeback from Tommy John surgical procedure, John Means believes he may help the Baltimore Orioles within the playoffs.

“I actually do,” the left-hander stated. “I really feel just like the command’s there. … I really feel like 99% of my pitches are proper the place I need.”

Means took an ideal recreation into the fifth inning of Baltimore’s 3-0 loss to the Boston Crimson Sox on Friday night time. The issue was, the opposing starter was in the end higher. Nick Pivetta allowed two hits in seven spectacular innings for the Crimson Sox.

Trevor Story hit a two-run homer off Means within the fifth.

A day after profitable the AL East title, the Orioles did little offensively however needed to be inspired by their starter’s effort. Means (1-2) pitched into the seventh inning and seemed like a stable possibility for Baltimore when it units up its postseason rotation.

Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez appear to be the highest candidates to start out for the Orioles within the AL Division Collection, however past that, it’s tougher to say.

Means was Baltimore’s opening day starter final 12 months however wanted Tommy John surgical procedure and didn’t pitch once more for the Orioles till this month. This was his fourth begin.

“I really feel like I’ve gotten higher as I went,” Means stated.

The left-hander retired his first 13 batters earlier than Rob Refsnyder doubled and Story adopted with a drive over the massive wall in left subject at Camden Yards. The Crimson Sox additionally scored a run within the ninth.

Means allowed three hits in 6 1/3 innings with 4 strikeouts and no walks.

“I believed Means threw the ball rather well,” Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde stated. “They have been aggressive early within the depend, and so they acquired a variety of early-count outs there, particularly within the first third of the sport. Actually good changeup once more and I believed he positioned his fastball nicely. He didn’t throw that many breaking balls, however good changeup once more.”

Pivetta (10-9) struck out 10 with a stroll. If this was his ultimate look of 2023, he completed with a flourish, throwing seven scoreless innings in every of his final two begins.

“His fastball has all the time been elite, little question about it,” Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora stated. “The addition of that cutter/slider, it’s been good. It’s not nice proper now. Now he has time within the offseason to go work with it, make it higher. He’ll.”

Garrett Whitlock labored the ultimate two innings for his first save of the season.

This four-game collection has began a lot in another way than the groups’ earlier conferences. Within the first 9 Baltimore-Boston video games this 12 months, the Orioles and Crimson Sox mixed to common 12.9 runs a recreation. This week, they’ve traded shutout victories, 2-0 and 3-0.

Rafael Devers drove in a run within the ninth with a chopper to the pitcher. He wants yet one more RBI for his third profession 100-RBI season.

HONORING PALMER

The Orioles held an on-field ceremony earlier than the sport celebrating Corridor of Famer Jim Palmer’s sixtieth anniversary with the workforce. Palmer pitched for Baltimore from 1965-84 after signing as an novice free agent in 1963. He now broadcasts Orioles video games on TV.

UP NEXT

Baltimore sends Kyle Gibson (15-9) to the mound Saturday night time in opposition to Boston’s Kutter Crawford (6-8).