Ben Joyce earns first save against Rangers

The unexpected move to put Beavers in the leadoff spot tonight worked out great. His big hit was just a little 150-foot fly to the left side, but it dropped in over a drawn-in infield and played a big role in the Orioles’ eight-run third inning. He knocked in three for the second time this season.

Tanner Bibee, the qualified starter with the second worst run support in the league, couldn’t deal with a big early lead against the Orioles on Tuesday and was left with a no-decision. Baz, the qualified starter with the worst run support in the league, also had some issues tonight, but he managed to hang on after being backed by an eight-run third inning. The win makes him 6-15 with a 4.05 ERA. He’ll likely face the Mets on Tuesday.

With the score 9-5, there was no save situation to start the ninth, which probably played a role in Garcia getting to stay in and make his longest appearance since July 3. He’s allowed one run in 12 2/3 innings over his last 14 outings.

Griffin retired six of seven batters through two scoreless innings, only to give up seven hits, a walk and a HBP in a disastrous third inning. Remarkably, only one of the seven knocks came on a hard-hit ball. On the other hand, his one out in the inning was a 361-foot sac fly from Rece Hinds that would have been a homer in 16 ballparks. Griffin dropped to 15-5 with a 3.65 ERA. He’s still probably worth using at home against the White Sox next week.

Ramírez dropped a routine foul popup from Coby Mayo for the error. Mayo then hit the next pitch 407 feet for a solo homer. The hitless game leaves Ramírez 5-for-36 with no extra-base hits this month. He’s hit .227/.304/.287 with one home run in 40 games since returning from a broken hamate bone, an injury that has a history of sapping power from hitters.

Neto took Red Sox lefty starter Jake Bennett deep a couple pitches after having a called third strike overturned on a challenge in the third inning. It was his 25th round-tripper of the season. The 25-year-old shortstop has looked like a completely different player since the Angels opted not to move him at last month’s trade deadline, hitting .301 (37-for-123) with six homers, 25 RBI and five steals over his last 30 games.

Anthony took Angels starter Ryan Johnson deep in the fifth inning for his third round-tripper in 11 games since returning from the injured list on August 30. He struck out in three of his other four plate appearances. He’s provided some stability atop Boston’s lineup and should give them a quality top-of-the-order table-setter for the postseason.

Joyce was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the final frame and wound up being charged with a run after Nate Eaton tagged him for an RBI single following a one-out walk from Jarren Duran. The hard-throwing 25-year-old reliever appears to have a lock on the closing role in Los Angeles for the final few weeks of the season.

Johnson’s velocity was up a couple ticks across the board on his entire arsenal as he managed to cruise in the early stages of this one, carrying a shutout into the fifth inning before Roman Anthony took him deep for a two-run blast. He also surrendered a solo shot to Wilyer Abreu in the ensuing frame. He finished with five strikeouts and only issued one walk. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts dating back to August 6. He draws a favorable home matchup against the Mariners his next time out on Tuesday.

Bennett was burned by the long ball in this one, serving up three round-trippers, which included a three-run blast to Zach Neto in the third inning. He finished with only two strikeouts and issued one walk. He gave up nine hits and allowed three earned runs or more for the eighth time in his last nine starts. Not ideal. The 25-year-old rookie has been outstanding for the Red Sox after coming over from the Nationals in an offseason challenge trade, but he appears to be hitting a bit of a metaphorical wall down the home stretch. He’ll attempt to rebound with a road matchup against the Rangers next Wednesday.