Motivated by Chris Sale’s first major league appearance in more than two years, the Boston Red Sox hit five home runs and thrashed the Baltimore Orioles 16-2 on Saturday night, who suffered their 10th straight loss.
Sale, 32, completed his comeback after undergoing surgery on Tommy John. He worked five innings, during which he allowed a pair of runs, on consecutive home runs by Austin Hays and Trey Mancini in the third inning.
The lanky left-hander particularly relied on his accurate slider, during an effort that included eight strikeouts and no walks.
Rafael Devers quickly set Boston’s attack underway, firing a three-run homer in the first inning off Puerto Rican Jorge López (3-13).
JD Martinez hit another three-lap home run and Bobby Dalbec added a solo club during a seven-run attack in the fifth act, just after Sale left to a roaring cheer.
Dalbec hit his second solo home run an inning later. Hunter Renfroe followed suit in the eighth inning.
For the Orioles, the Dominicans Pedro Severino 4-2, Maikel Franco 4-0, Jorge Mateo 4-1. Venezuelan Anthony Santander 3-0.
For the Red Sox, Puerto Ricans Kiké Hernández 3-2 with four runs scored, Christian Vázquez 4-0. Mexican Alex Verdugo 5-4 with three runs scored and one RBI. The Panamanian Jonathan Araúz 1-0. The Dominicans Devers 3-2 with one scored and four RBIs, Franchy Cordero 1-0.
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