That was a gem: Means leads O's to shutout win at Boston

Whether lefty John Means becomes a true ace pitcher for the Orioles in the future or not, he showed us today what one looks like.

Means was absolutely dominant in a 3-0 win over the Red Sox on opening day in Boston. Means allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings as the Orioles recorded their first opening day shutout since 2005. Then they beat Oakland 4-0 as Rodrigo Lopez threw six scoreless innings. It was the sixth opening day shutout in club history.

Means today became the first pitcher in Orioles history to work at least seven innings while allowing one or no hits and no runs in a start at Fenway Park.

The Orioles threw a three-pitcher two-hitter as the Red Sox went 2-for-29.

Means ended his 2020 season with a stunning stretch of four starts in which he looked very much like an ace pitcher. And when the O's southpaw made his first career opening day start today at Fenway Park, he had the same look.

Working fast, pitching efficiently, using strong secondaries and shutting down the Boston Red Sox.

Means had ended last year going 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in those four starts. Over 23 2/3 innings he walked three and fanned 30. He used his fastball extensively in those games, but today his changeup was on point and he landed some very nice curveballs to get ahead in counts.

Boston second baseman Enrique Hernández singled to right to start the game against him. Who knew that would be the only Boston hit off him. With one out, Means picked him off. Video replay showed Hernández lost contact with first base while Trey Mancini held the tag.

Means showed some poise when a leadoff error by third baseman Maikel Franco started the Boston second. Second baseman Rio Ruiz made a nice running catch on a popup, and Means got a strikeout and groundout. He got on a roll after that error, retiring the next 12 batters in a row through the last of the fifth.

He was at 66 pitches through the fifth, spotting his fastball nicely at times while getting swings and misses with his changeup. He even used his curveball to get ahead of some batters, landing a few first-pitch strikes.

He pitched another 1-2-3 inning that included a flyout to the wall in left in the sixth. So, he had retired 15 in a row and Boston batters were just 1-for-19 against him to that point. He was at 77 pitches. Means got six outs in the fifth and sixth on 20 pitches.

Meanwhile, Ruiz was a bit of a surprise starter at second base, but manager Brandon Hyde looked like a genius as Ruiz made three strong defensive plays. He caught two popups of a high degree of difficulty. And he made a diving stop to his left to rob Alex Verdugo leading off the Boston seventh.

That helped Means pitched his fifth straight 1-2-3 inning. Through the seventh he had retired 18 consecutive batters. The MASN cameras showed him getting dugout hugs, so you knew he was done for the day.

But what a day.

Seven innings, one hit, no runs, no walks and five strikeouts. He threw 97 pitches, 65 for strikes as Boston went 1-for-22 against him. That is a .045 batting average.

Over his last five starts dating to last season, Means is 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA. Over 30 2/3 innings he has walked three and fanned 35.

Ryan Mountcastle's two-run double off reliever Matt Andriese broke the scoreless tie in the sixth and Anthony Santander singled in another run in the eighth.

Tanner Scott walked two but put up a zero in the eighth and César Valdez worked around a two-out double in the ninth.

But Means was the clear star on this day. His first career opening day start was brilliant.