Red Sox reactions: Slumping outfielder belts go-ahead homer in comeback win

BALTIMORE — Instant reactions from the Red Sox’ 4-3 win over the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Monday:

1) Jarren Duran’s three-run home run in the fifth inning gave Boston a 4-3 lead, providing a bright spot in what has been a challenging August for him. He entered Monday 15-for-71 (.211) with a .345 on-base percentage, .324 slugging percentage and .669 OPS in 20 games. But his three-run home run in the fifth inning gave Boston a 4-3 lead. It was his second homer this month and 13th this season. He connected on a splitter from Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano and sent it 407 feet to center field.

2) Rookie Roman Anthony belted his first career leadoff homer and became the youngest player in franchise history to do it. He jumped on a 93.8 mph fastball from Sugano with the count even 2-2 and sent it 410 feet into the right-center field bleachers.

3) Red Sox right-handed rookie Richard Fitts left the game in the sixth inning with right biceps tightness. Fitts looked down at his arm after throwing his first pitch in the sixth inning, a 94.2 mph outside fastball to Coby Mayo. Manager Alex Cora and trainer Brandon Henry rushed to the mound and immediately replaced him with lefty Steven Matz.

The 25-year-old entered the game in the second inning, replacing opener Brennan Bernardino who pitched a scoreless first inning. Fitts allowed three runs on two hits, one homer and three walks while striking out six in 4+ innings. He also hit a batter.

4) Fitts’ only bad inning was the third. He retired the first two batters, then loaded the bases on a walk, hit by pitch and another walk. Colton Cowser delivered a two-run single to put Baltimore ahead 3-1.

5) Backup catcher Connor Wong has hits in eight of his last 20 at-bats. Wong and Anthony, who both had singles, scored on Duran’s homer.

6) With no outs and Dylan Carlson at second base following a leadoff double in the seventh, Luis Vázquez laid down a sac bunt. Steven Matz picked it up and fired to third to throw out Carlson who initially was ruled safe. The Red Sox challenged and got the call overturned.

7) Garrett Whitlock allowed a leadoff double to Gunnar Henderson, then struck out Ryan Mountcastle looking and both Coby Mayo and Colton Cowser swinging.

8) Steven Matz pitched two scoreless innings, bridging the gap from Fitts to Whitlock in the eighth.

9) Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has converted 25 of 27 save opportunities. He pitched a perfect ninth.

10) Boston improved to 72-60 overall and 4-1 on the road trip.

11) The Red Sox and Orioles will play the second game of their four-game series Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Righty Lucas Giolito (8-2, 3.72 ERA) will start for Boston opposite right-hander Kyle Bradish, who’s making his 2025 debut in his return from Tommy John surgery.