Mickey Gasper and Ranger Suárez lead Boston past Orioles

Mickey Gasper’s solo home run in the top of the first inning gave the Boston Red Sox all the offense they needed in a 1-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Gasper sent the ball into right field for his eighth home run in his last 14 starts, continuing a strong run of form. The early lead provided enough support for Ranger Suárez, who looked like the All-Star-caliber left-hander he had been before suffering a left groin strain on July 5.

Suárez produced his longest outing since April 17, working seven scoreless innings. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three, throwing 91 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Garrett Whitlock handled the eighth inning and ended it with a double play, but the inning also featured a benches-clearing incident after a controversial slide by Blaze Alexander at second base while trying to break up the double play.

Aroldis Chapman then took the mound in the ninth and recorded the 399th save of his career. The Red Sox secured at least a split of the four-game series between the American League East rivals, with games still remaining.