Red Sox focus on matching franchise-record win streak in rematch vs. Orioles

The Boston Red Sox are riding a tremendous wave of momentum entering Tuesday night's matchup against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

Caleb Durbin's solo home run with two outs in the eighth inning propelled Boston to a 6-5 triumph over Baltimore on Monday. It was the 14th consecutive victory and 19th in the last 21 games for the Red Sox.

Durbin called it the biggest hit of his career.

"Man, the electricity on that one is probably top of the list," he said. "Just being able to come through for the guys and get the lead there was big.

"Late in the game, two outs especially, trying to get on second base at the very least. Trying to do some damage. If there's a spot to try to let it eat, it's there.

"We were digging, right? We were grinding there early on. You keep going knowing that there's opportunities and there's moments ahead like this, and there's going to be plenty more. It's a boring answer, but (the key is) keeping the same approach and keep moving forward every single day."

Boston is averaging 5.9 runs per game during its 14-game winning streak, which is the second-longest such streak in team history. The Red Sox won 15 games in a row in 1946.

Boston's starting pitchers have a 2.63 ERA during the streak, while the relievers are at 1.15.

"That was unbelievable," Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said of Monday's victory. "It was a heck of an effort. Had to come back multiple times and kept fighting back. It was a heck of a win.

Boston trailed 1-0 in the first inning, 4-3 in the sixth and 5-4 in the seventh.

"They're giving everything they got," Tracy said. "They're executing. They're doing a great job."

The loss ended Baltimore's seven-game winning streak. Durbin's home run came against Tyler Wells.

"Credit to (Durbin)," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. "He put a good swing on it. Wells has been outstanding for us. All of our bullpen guys have been answering the bell. One pitch you just want back, but Wells has been outstanding.

"Great back-and-forth game. It stinks we didn't come out on the right side, (but) it was a great atmosphere."

Baltimore committed four errors in the loss, including two when Boston scored two runs in the third inning. Two of Boston's six runs were unearned.

"You look at the errors and it's rough, but it kind of just shows us that that's a game we could have won and probably should have," said Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson, who committed one error.

"Two really good teams going at it. We can compete with anybody."

The Orioles will send right-hander Kyle Bradish (6-9, 3.61 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday for the second contest of the three-game series. Bradish is 1-6 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 career starts against Boston.

Tracy said left-hander Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.15 ERA) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Tuesday. Suarez sustained a groin injury during a July 5 start against the Los Angeles Angels.

He's 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA in four career starts against Baltimore.

--Field Level Media