Just a day after being shutout in New York, the Red Sox absolutely bludgeoned the Orioles tonight at Fenway Park, winning by a score of 22-4. They had 22 hits, including 6 home runs. Ellis Burks went deep twice while Mo Vaughn added a grand slam in support of Boston starter Nate Minchey. After two outstanding starts to begin his career, Minchey got off to a rocky start by allowing two runs in the 1st inning. He settled in from there and did not allow anything further, while striking out 7 over 7 innings of work. With the Orioles reeling and out of pitchers, Baltimore called upon outfielders Rob Deer and Mike Devereaux to get the final two outs of the game. Jody Reed went 4-for-5 to raise his American League leading batting average to .362.
A day after being embarrassed at Fenway Park, the Orioles turned the tables on the Red Sox. Starting pitcher Pat Hentgen's struggles continued, as he allowed 10 runs in just 2 innings, putting the Red Sox in a deep early hole en route to a 16-4 defeat. The Orioles blasted 5 home runs, 2 of which were from catcher Mickey Tettleton. The Red Sox managed just 3 hits in the game, one of which was a bases loaded double by Mike Greenwell in the 2nd inning. Orioles starter Pete Harnisch lasted 8.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits to go along with 3 strikeouts.
Boston starter Roger Clemens outdueled his Orioles counterpart, John Mitchell, in a 3-2 win at Fenway Park. Clemens threw 119 pitches over 8 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 9. Mitchell turned in a strong outing of his own, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits in his 6 innings of work. All of Boston's damage off Mitchell came in the third innings. An RBI double by Tim Naehring was followed by a Mike Greenwell RBI single to tie the game at 2. Phil Plantier drove in the go ahead run when he followed with a sacrifice fly. Both Orioles runs scored on a 2nd inning triple off the bat of Brady Anderson.
The Red Sox finished out an up and down week by taking 3 out of 4 against the Baltimore Orioles. Dana Kiecker got his first win since April, pitching 6 strong innings and allowing 1 run on just 3 hits in a 6-1 Boston victory. Jeff Bagwell drove in 4 runs, and Mike Greenwell doubled twice and scored 3 times to lead the Red Sox' offense. Cal Ripken was the only Orioles' hitter who posted a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a walk. After a strong weekend at home, the Red Sox will now head out west for a long road trip.