Blanked in Beantown: O's swept by Red Sox, go scoreless for series

The Orioles went scoreless in Boston. They were shut out for the third consecutive game today as they lost 2-0 to the Red Sox and got swept in the series. It is the first time they've been held scoreless three straight games since 1957.

Boston left-hander Henry Owens blanked the Orioles for 7 2/3 innings as the Red Sox completed the sweep at Fenway Park. The Orioles were held to 12 hits in the series, with just two extra-base hits, both doubles.

Owens gave up six hits with one walk and five strikeouts, throwing 110 pitches. He is 4-3 with an ERA of 3.85. Owens has pitched 15 1/3 scoreless innings in two 2015 starts against Baltimore.

The Orioles went 2-for-29 on Friday night, 5-for-31 on Saturday and 5-for-33 today. That adds up to an average of just .129 (12-for-93) in this series. The Orioles have gone scoreless over their last 28 innings dating to the eighth inning Thursday at Washington. According to the MASN telecast, the team record is 33 straight innings, set in 1957.

The last time the Orioles were shut out for three games in row was July 29-31, 1957, according to Statpass. But that was against two different teams.

The Orioles fall to 76-79 and will need to go at least 5-2 on the homestand that begins Monday to post a .500 record or better this year. The Orioles began this series with a record of 11-5 versus Boston, and they end the season series going 11-8. The Orioles played their final road game and finish the year with a road record of 34-50.

Ubaldo Jimenez pitched well but took the loss. He went seven innings, allowing six hits and two runs to fall to 12-10 with an ERA of 4.10 in 31 starts. Boston took a 1-0 lead in the first. Brock Holt walked, advanced to third on a single and scored on a wild pitch. In the third, catcher Blake Swihart led off the inning with his third homer. He hit a 1-1 slider out to give Boston a 2-0 edge.

The Orioles now return home and host Toronto on Monday in the opener of a four-game series. Chris Tillman (10-11, 5.16 ERA) faces right-hander Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13 ERA).