The Baltimore Orioles may not have to worry about Boston’s Wilyer Abreu on Monday when they begin a two-game road series against the Red Sox.
Abreu collected two hits, including a two-run home run, and scored twice during Sunday’s 5-3 loss to Miami, but the right fielder left the game with tightness in his right calf after he scored on a sacrifice fly that gave Boston a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning.
Following Sunday’s game, Abreu said he doesn’t expect to be put on the injured list but added that he probably won’t be available to play in either game against the Orioles.
After facing the Orioles on Monday and Tuesday, the Red Sox have an off day on Wednesday before they begin a four-game series against the host New York Yankees on Thursday.
“A little bit tight,” Abreu said through a translator. “I felt like a cramp. So right now I’m day-to-day. See how I wake up tomorrow. … Probably take two or three days and be ready for New York.
“When I was at third and tagging to score, the first step I felt a little cramp. I don’t think it’s an IL. I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Boston enter Monday’s matchup five games behind Toronto, which is at the top of the American League East standings. The Red Sox looked like they would pick up a game on the Blue Jays on Sunday until they squandered a 3-2 ninth-inning lead.
Miami’s comeback prevented Garrett Crochet from picking up his 14th victory. Crochet held Miami to one run over seven innings and struck out eight. The loss also prevented Boston from completing a three-game sweep.
“I think as long as we keep stacking series wins and moving in the right direction, it’s hard to harp on a loss when we just won the series,” Crochet said. “Just gotta tip your cap and move on to the next series.”
Although Baltimore is at the bottom of the AL East, the Orioles have won four of their last five games and took two of three games from the Astros in Houston over the weekend. Baltimore won 12-0 on Sunday and also shut out the Astros 7-0 on Friday.
Jordan Westburg was the biggest offensive star in Sunday’s win. He had four hits, including a three-run home run, and a career-high five RBIs in the victory.
“We have some young guys helping us out and we’re playing good baseball right now,” Westburg said. “It’s exciting to come into the clubhouse every day. We’re playing some good ball.”
Right-hander Dustin May (7-8, 4.67 ERA) will make his third start for the Red Sox since he was acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline. May has faced the Orioles once during his career, in September 2019. He didn’t allow a run in two innings and didn’t factor in the decision.
Lefty Trevor Rogers (5-2, 1.43) will start on the mound for Baltimore. He’s 0-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 18 1/3 innings over four career appearances (all starts) against the Red Sox.
Rogers began the season on the injured list with a knee injury. He made his season debut May 24 against the Red Sox in Boston and pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings but did not get a decision in a game the Orioles won 2-1.