Tense Night For Red Sox, Fans Amid Baltimore Protests
BALTIMORE (AP) — A strange night at Camden Yards for the Boston Red Sox ended with manager John Farrell wondering how their bus was going to weave through Baltimore to the safety of the team hotel.
While the Red Sox were losing to the Orioles 5-4 in 10 innings Saturday, thousands gathered outside the stadium and around the city to protest the death of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody after suffering an unexplained spinal injury.
Several helicopters circled Camden Yards as some of the protesters threw cans and plastic bottles in the direction of police officers. Inside the ballpark, fans watched a peaceful demonstration turn tense and violent.
In the middle of the ninth inning, after the Red Sox extended a game the Orioles seemingly had in hand, the public address announcer told fans that the mayor and city officials requested no one leave the ballpark because of "ongoing public safety issues."
By the bottom of the 10th, the restriction on exiting the stadium had been lifted.
And then, after David Lough ended the game with a solo homer off Koji Uehara (1-1), it was time for the Red Sox to deal with a drive through the city.
"I'm sure there's a route that we will take that will be different from what we've done in the past, which would go right through where the protest is taking place currently," Farrell said. "I don't know what route that's going to be right now."
As a slight rain began to fall, Baltimore blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning. The Orioles then fell behind in the 10th before rallying in the bottom half against Uehara, who played parts of three seasons in Baltimore and knows the city well.
"It's obviously something that I'm concerned of," he said of the situation outside the ballpark. "It's not just because I used to live in Baltimore."
Meanwhile, Courtney Mish was poised to walk home from the stadium with a few of her friends. They didn't get to their seats until the second inning because they watched the protest from home.
"I'm not that concerned," Mish said of her return trip.
What about that announcement instructing fans to stay in the ballpark?
"Fine," Mish said. "We wanted to see the end of the game, anyway."
Baltimore trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the 10th when Adam Jones tripled off Uehara on a liner that right fielder Allen Craig lost in the lights. After Chris Davis followed with a sacrifice fly, Lough stepped to the plate.
Lough, who entered as a pinch runner in the eighth, smacked a 3-2 pitch to right. As the ball soared toward its destination over the wall, Lough thrust his left arm into the air to celebrate the first game-ending home run of his career.
That made up for the ninth inning, when Baltimore closer Zach Britton failed to secure a victory for Wei-Yin Chen. After Boston loaded the bases with one out, Pablo Sandoval hit a sharp grounder to third that Manny Machado picked up before tagging the base. His throw to first base went awry, allowing the tying run to score.
Xander Bogaerts homered in the top of the 10th off Brad Brach before Brian Matusz (1-2) finished.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter missed the start of the game to attend his father-in-law's funeral in Tennessee. Bench coach John Russell took over the team, but Showalter assumed his familiar spot in the dugout in the third inning.
"(Russell) was telling me they were listening to what was going on in the clubhouse before the game," Showalter said. "These guys are aware of what's going on. I'm sure we'll have people talk about spending the night here. There are so many things that can take your attention away from a baseball game, rightfully so. As important as we think this is, there are some things that are more important."
FOR STARTERS
Red Sox: Justin Masterson struggled early, allowing the first two batters to score, but ended the night allowing three runs and seven hits over seven innings pitched. Farrell noted, "Masty settled in and gave us a solid outing."
Orioles: Chen retired his last 12 batters and gave up only two runs over eight innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: OF Shane Victorino was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Thursday, with a strained right hamstring. RHP Matt Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Orioles: Russell said shortstop J.J. Hardy (shoulder) has been taking batting practice and "is making very good progress" in his effort to return.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: LHP Wade Miley (1-1, 6.08 ERA) makes his fourth start with Boston on Sunday in the series finale.
Orioles: Bud Norris (0-2, 17.42 ERA) takes another shot at his first win of the season.
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