It took more than six hours to complete, and when it was over, both teams had exhausted their bullpens and were using position players as pitchers.
Orioles Sweep Up Red Sox In Marathon 17-Inning Thriller
The Orioles wrapped up a sweep of the Red Sox with a 17-inning matinee victory.
The Baltimore Orioles finished off a sweep of the Boston Red Sox today with a 17-inning 9-6 win at Fenway Park this afternoon.
The game was decided when Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald served up a BP fastball to Adam Jones, who launched a three-run home run to break a 6-6 tie in the game's final inning.
Just minutes earlier, the Red Sox had the game winning run thrown out at the plate, as J.J. Hardy threw out Marlon Byrd who tried to score from first base off a Ryan Sweeney gapper.
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, who went 0-8 from the plate tonight, became the first American League position player to win a game as a pitcher since Rocky Colavito did it in 1968.
Other fun facts of this marathon game:
- Adrian Gonzalez went hitless in eight at-bats.
- Mark Reynolds drew four walks and did not strike out in seven at-bats.
- Cody Ross struck out five times.
- Wilson Betemit was caught stealing second base while a left-fielder was pitching
- There were 564 pitches thrown between both teams.
Lost in the novelty of a prolonged finish to a baseball game: the Red Sox have a firm hold on last place in the American League East, while the Orioles remain atop the division.
One team’s pitching rotation is abysmal despite comprising big names with big contracts, while the other currently ranks second in baseball in team ERA using pitchers who you probably haven’t heard of.
The Red Sox conclude their homestand at 1-5, which was supposed to serve as a reprieve that allowed them to make up ground after a tumultuous start to the season against tough teams.
It’s a long season, but this proud franchise may need more than just time to turn the season around.
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