KEN POWTAK
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — The postseason hopes for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox have all but faded away. Now, Dustin Pedroia’s season is over, too.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said the star second baseman will have season-ending surgery on his left hand, making the announcement after a 10-6 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
“He’s going to have a procedure done here tomorrow … in Boston that will address what he’s dealing with right now,” Farrell said. “I don’t know any more specifics than that, but there will be certainly a follow-up after that’s completed.”
On the field, the Red Sox report certainly wasn’t any better.
Wei-Yin Chen pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, Adam Jones helped provide an early cushion and the Orioles completed a three-game sweep.
Brandon Workman (1-9) lost his ninth straight decision since winning at Baltimore on June 10. He was tagged for six runs — five earned — in the third inning.
“It was a combination of things,” Farrell said. “They had some of hits that found some spots, we didn’t make some plays, he contributed a couple of walks. All combined it leads up to the six runs.
Baltimore built an 8-0 lead in the fifth inning.
Caleb Joseph homered and drove in three runs and Ryan Flaherty got a career-high four hits as Baltimore won for the 11th time in 14 games to maintain its double-digit lead atop the AL East.
Chen (15-4) retired the first 16 batters before Dan Butler doubled off the Green Monster for his first major league hit. Chen gave up one run and three hits in seven innings, striking out four without a walk.
The Red Sox scored five runs in the ninth. Darren O’Day got the last out with two runners on for his third save.
Jones’ two-run double highlighted the six-run third, and Joseph hit a two-run drive in the fifth. Jones and Joseph each had three hits.
Chen improved to 12-2 in his last 21 starts. The only run off the left-hander scored on a home run by Xander Bogaerts.
Carlos Rivero hit his first career homer, a three-run shot off Joe Saunders, in the ninth.
The Orioles combined six hits, two walks and Rivero’s throwing error from third base for their burst in the third. Alejandro De Aza, Joseph and Flaherty each had RBI singles and Steve Pearce drew a bases-loaded walk.
I CAN SEE CEARLY
Boston RHP Joe Kelly is one of a few pitchers wearing glasses on the mound in the big leagues. He estimated “four or five” and remembered when and why he started. “I can’t wear contacts. I tried them multiple times,” he said. “It was just something irritating that I didn’t like and I didn’t feel comfortable pitching. I didn’t know I needed glasses until I got to college and started pitching. The first time I got on the mound I couldn’t see the signs. I didn’t wear glasses. I was too stubborn. We ended up doing tap signs because I couldn’t see. When I got drafted we did the eye test and I needed glasses to pick things up and see the signs. I wore glasses in college because in big lecture halls the board was too far away.”
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli has a shrine of his former teammate Jonny Gomes, with pictures next to his locker and his old No. 5 jersey — signed — on the back of his chair. “He’s one of my best friends,” Napoli said. “We’re like family. You spend more time here than you do with your families. I don’t think people know how close you can get.” Gomes was traded with LHP Jon Lester to Oakland at the non-waiver trade deadline for LF Yoenis Cespedes.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy missed his fifth straight game with lower back spasms. The hope is he’ll be ready to play in Friday’s doubleheader against the Yankees. “He’s feeling good,” manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ll have a better idea (Thursday).”
Red Sox: INF-OF Brock Holt missed his fifth straight because of illness, but is expected to play in the upcoming series in Kansas City.
UP NEXT
Orioles: Off Thursday before opening a 10-game homestand with a doubleheader against the Yankees on Friday. RHP Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.83 ERA) and RHP Bud Norris (12-8, 3.92) are slated to go for Baltimore.
Red Sox: RHP Clay Buchholz (7-8, 5.29) is scheduled to start Thursday night in Kansas City against RHP Liam Hendriks (1-1, 4.81).
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