Red Sox Notes: Nick Pivetta Optimistic Despite Loss To Orioles

The Boston Red Sox didn't find their groove to begin a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles during Thursday night's 5-1 loss, but right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta didn't view the first of four in Camden Yards as a complete dud.

Pivetta was activated last Thursday from the 15-day injured list after undergoing a rehab assignment in Triple-A Worcester, and the 31-year-old supplied a quality performance despite receiving the bare minimum of offensive support. Pivetta allowed two runs against Baltimore's elite lineup through five innings while striking out six, and felt as though the brief departure from the club ultimately benefited him -- and will continue to do so for the remainder of 2024.

"I think it's gonna benefit a lot," Pivetta told reporters after Boston's 5-1 loss, as seen on NESN's postgame coverage. "It helped a lot. It was nice and I'm very fortunate for the situation I'm in and I look forward to my next start. ... I feel like I tried to attack the strike zone early, and I had command of all my pitches so it felt very normal and very regular."

Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu broke open the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with his 14th home run of the season, a solo round-tripper, however, that was the beginning and the end of Boston's run production. Baltimore held the Red Sox scoreless for the remaining five innings of the night as no signs of a come-from-behind rally loomed less than 24 hours after the lineup mustered up a shocking two-out, three-run rally against the Rangers at Fenway Park on Wednesday night.

Nevertheless, as pitching depth has become a more and more critical need by the day for the Red Sox, the team was satisfied with the work done by Pivetta.

"I think stuff-wise was really good, gave us five (innings) and it was a good night for him," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters, as seen on NESN's postgame coverage.

Here are more notes from Thursday night's Red Sox-Orioles game:

-- So far, the Red Sox have gone 1-6 when facing the Orioles this season. Boston's offense has logged a .213 team batting average against Baltimore pitching while the team's bullpen has recorded a 7.71 ERA through the seven-game stretch.

-- The Orioles crushed two home runs against Red Sox pitchers, increasing Boston's MLB lead in home runs allowed (54) since the All-Star break. Meanwhile, Baltimore remains baseball's leader in homers hit (188) this season.

"They hit the ball hard, in the air," Cora explained, per NESN. "They grind at-bats. That lineup they have now is loaded from the left side. You just gotta make pitches, and I think we did. We did overall. ... They're really good at what they do."

-- Red Sox relief pitcher Chase Shugart made his MLB debut on Thursday night in Baltimore. The 27-year-old righty threw 2 2/3 innings while allowing one run off three hits and striking out two; including Baltimore's Jackson Holiday.

"That was like a dream come true," Shugart told reporters, as seen on NESN's postgame coverage. "Just can't help but think about the people that got me here and all the work I put in to get here, and it's a good feeling."

-- Right-hander Cooper Criswell could get the nod to start on Friday night. The 28-year-old last started for Boston on July 23 against the Rockies, and pitched seven scoreless innings while striking out six batters in a 6-0 Red Sox win.

"Most likely he'll start," Cora said, per NESN.

-- Boston has lost six of its last eight games and sits 2 1/2 games back from the third and final American League wild card spot.

-- The Red Sox and Orioles will continue their division-rival series on Friday night in Baltimore. First pitch from Oriole Park at Camden Yards is set for 7:05 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.