By KEN POWTAK Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox won their 15th straight game to match a club record for the longest winning streak in team history from 80 years ago, beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 in the opener of a split doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
They equaled the 1946 American League champs, who were led by future Hall of Famer Ted Williams.
Jarren Duran had a two-run triple and a sacrifice fly, and Caleb Durbin — who hit a tiebreaking homer when they posted their 14th straight victory on Monday — chipped in with a two-run single.
Ceddanne Rafaela added a solo home run for Boston in a makeup from Tuesday’s rainout.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand had a solo homer for Baltimore, his second in two games.
Red Sox rookie left-hander Jake Bennnett (6-3) worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs — one coming on a sun-aided RBI double by Tyler O’Neill — on nine hits.
He took a 102.8 mph liner off the stomach from Taylor Ward in the fifth, but remained in the game after being checked by a trainer, interim manager Chad Tracy and first baseman Willson Contreras, who appeared to make him breath while telling him to lift his arms.
Aroldis Chapman got the final three outs for his 23rd save and 390th of his career, tying Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for ninth all-time.
The Red Sox jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Dean Kremer (1-3) in the first on Durbin’s line single and Duran’s two-out hit.
Encarnacion-Strand hit his homer into the batter’s eye to make it 5-2 in the fourth but Rafaela hit his over the Green Monster in the bottom half.
Kremer lasted six innings, allowing six runs.
Up next
Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (6-9, 3.61 ERA) is set to start the nightcap.
Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rivera (0-0, 2.89 ) will start the second game.
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