Context

People are still trying to say that the postseason is still within reach for the Red Sox, partially because other teams (notably the Orioles) aren’t playing great baseball right now. Can the Sox D prevent the Orioles from scoring first, when they win 80% of the time? Can our offense match anything the Orioles put up?

And just putting this out there…there’s some tension in our house over Colton Cowser, believe it or not. My girlfriend’s nephews are his childhood friends so he gets enthusiastic cheers here, which is fine—except when he plays the Red Sox. House rules say there isn’t room to cheer an AL East opponent when he faces the Red Sox! My dog and I, in our usual game positions on the couch, are in agreement about this, but she is unmoved by our unshakeable loyalty. Game on.

Game Action

Gunnar Henderson, the first batter of the game, barreled a stand-up double off the monster. It initially seemed like a home run. Not an auspicious beginning, which was confirmed two batters later when he scored. Rob Refsnyder’s throw wasn’t close at all and the Sox quickly and unfortunately set themselves a tall task.

Brayan Bello complicated things even further by loading the bases, but saved himself by getting two strikeouts in a row to end the inning with potential Rookie of the Year Colton Cowser cursing himself as he swung and missed. (That will teach you to try to use your childhood connections to go against me in my own house.)

In defensive news, Rafael Devers committed the Red Sox’s MLB-leading 106th error though it didn’t lead to a run. On the other side, Cedric Mullins had a terrific diving catch in center field that could have made Play of the Game if this were being written in Baltimore.

Devers, looking like he was chipping a golf ball, singled. Refsnyder hooked a double along the line into left field, putting runners on second and third. Although Tyler O’Neill grounded out, he drove in Devers to tie the score. Things were looking up. 1-1.

In the third, Refsnyder and O’Neill hit back-to-back home runs: Refsnyder’s just over the line and O’Neill’s high and far, threatening to clear the park entirely. 4-1.

Bello walked two in the fourth, including Cowser (this inspired a “Cowser!”) and hit a batter to load the bases. He forced in Cowser on another walk. Bello’s control wasn’t where you’d want it to be, clearly.

In the fifth, after getting on with a walk, Refsnyder tried to score on O’Neill’s second sky-high mash. Although he made a nice slide on the far side of the plate, Cowser’s throw beat him and he didn’t have time to escape the tag. Cowser! (Thankfully my girlfriend was walking the dog at this exact moment, and missed the whole thing.)

Bello came out of the game, having given up five walks (most by a Sox pitcher in an outing this year) and Brennan Bernardino promptly gave up a double to the pinch hitter. Nerves took over—my nerves—but Bernardino got out of it. The Sox were lucky that Baltimore failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities throughout the game.

The Sox loaded the bases in the sixth, setting the table for Ceddanne Rafaela, who drove in two with a single. (“But they’re already so far ahead!” my girlfriend groaned. I don’t understand Cowser’s charms that he can drive this wedge.) But that’s when I felt like I could start to relax. Thank you for that, Rafaela.

The tensions of a house divided notwithstanding, the Sox reloaded the bases and got two more on a single from Refsnyder. 8-2.

There was more traffic on the bases for the Orioles in the seventh, and they got one back. My girlfriend put her phone away when Cowser came to the plate and got his second walk. But luckily, he was stranded too, the eleventh and final Orioles baserunner to be ignored in this fashion. 8-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, we said hello to old friend Craig Kimbrel and his ponytail. It was nice to see Trevor Story steal a base. Danny Jansen reached base for the fourth time without a hit.

The eighth inning featured the second back-to-back offensive explosion by Refsnyder and O’Neill. Wow. TC called them “Thunder” and “Lightning” and that sounds perfect. 12-3.

Good night and sleep well, Red Sox Nation.

Studs

Refsnyder

This was a career night for Refsnyder who got on base five times, with two home runs, a double, a walk, and a single. 5RBI—the most of his career.

O’Neill

3-5, with three towering hits tonight: a double and two home runs. Both of those home runs followed a homer by Refsnyder. Incredible. O’Neill is now tied for the lead for most multi-HR games (7). 3RBI, 1R.

Rafaela

2-4, 1R, 4RBI. He hit two singles that each drove in two runs. If Thunder and Lightning hadn’t erupted tonight, Rafaela would have been the story of the game.

Devers

3-5. Though the knocks weren’t particularly hard hit, they got the job done, and it’s great to see Devers emerge from his recent hitting woes.

Duds

Not much to complain about tonight, though Jarren Duran was 0-5 with three strikeouts. He seems to be pressing.

Play of the Game

There was an embarrassment of riches on offense. Tough decision, but let’s honor Refsnyder on his big night. Here’s his second home run, which earned him his career-high fifth RBI.

Remember that this HR (his second of the night) was followed—again—by an O’Neill HR, also his second of the night. Two back-to-backs.

Since I can’t tell half the story; here’s O’Neill’s second home run which came immediately after Refsnyder’s.