Bradley, Price lead Red Sox past Orioles 5-0 in first of two

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BALTIMORE - David Price struck out 10 over six strong innings, Jackie Bradley Jr. hit two solo homers and the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-0 Saturday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Eduardo Nunez also went deep for Boston and Xander Bogaerts had three hits and scored twice.

Price hardly needed all that support on a day in which he scattered five hits and didn't issue a walk.

"He was outstanding," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "He is in a good place right now, physically and mentally."

The Red Sox have won eight of their past nine and 12 of 14 to improve their major league-best record to 83-35.

Price (12-6) won his sixth consecutive start against Baltimore. The lefty had at least one strikeout in every inning and did not allow a runner past second base.

"He understands how important he is for us," Cora said. "With the tough conditions out there, for him to go six today that was great."

Adam Jones had two hits for the Orioles, who are 2-12 against Boston. Baltimore (35-82) was officially eliminated from contention in the AL East on Friday night and on Saturday clinched a second consecutive losing season.

Recalled from Triple-A Norfolk as the 26th man for the doubleheader, Orioles right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis (0-1) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings to absorb his first major league loss.

After combining to score 31 runs on Friday night in the Red Sox' 19-12 victory, both teams were quiet offensively until the Red Sox broke through with a flourish in the fifth inning.

Bogaerts led off with a single and Nunez hit a 3-0 pitch inside the left-field foul pole. One out later, Bradley lined an opposite-field drive to right.

That was all the offense the Red Sox required with Price in peak form.

After Price left, three relievers combined for three hitless innings. With a dozen shutouts, the Red Sox are tied with the Cubs, Indians and Pirates for the major league lead.

"A good win for us after a very long game last night," Price said.

Bradley homered in the ninth, his first multihomer game of the season and third of his career.

The game was rescheduled from a rainout on July 25. Before the rain came that night, Boston led 5-0 in the second inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM
Blake Swihart (hamstring strain) will begin his rehabilitation assignment on Sunday with Lowell, manager Alex Cora said.

Chris Sale is expected to start Sunday after a two-week stint on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Cora said the ace could throw 100 pitches if he's not too rusty.

UP NEXT
Red Sox: Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.64 ERA) was scheduled to start the second game. Cora had mulled started William Cuevas, called up from Pawtucket as the 26th man for the doubleheader, but went with Velazquez after he wasn't used in the first game. Cora was hoping to get three or four innings from a right-hander who usually pitches in relief.

Orioles: Rookie Jefry Ramirez (1-4, 5.66 ERA) makes his eighth career start in Game 2. His only major league win came against Boston.

© 2018 by Associated Press.

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