Giolito Dominates with Eight Scoreless as Red Sox Blank Orioles

The Boston Red Sox took a big step forward in their playoff chase Tuesday night. **Lucas Giolito** threw one of his best games since coming back from injury.

Boston beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-0 at Camden Yards. The right-hander, back after last season’s elbow surgery, shut out the Orioles for eight innings.

He mixed his pitches well and kept hitters guessing. That set the tone for a win that kept Boston atop the AL Wild Card race and showed just how important Giolito is to the rotation right now.

Giolito’s Masterclass Against Baltimore

Giolito’s outing looked like something out of a playoff highlight reel. He gave up just four hits, walked one, and struck out eight.

From the first pitch, he seemed in control. His biggest moment came in the eighth during a tense, 11-pitch battle with Jeremiah Jackson.

Jackson finally swung through strike three, and Giolito let out a fist pump that said it all. That energy really fired up the dugout.

What made the night stand out even more? Giolito edged out Baltimore’s Kyle Bradish, who was also just back from Tommy John surgery.

Bradish struck out 10 in six innings, so he was no pushover. But Giolito’s efficiency and calm, plus his ability to pitch deep, made all the difference.

Adjusting After a Short Outing

Just a few days ago, Giolito left the mound frustrated after only 4 2/3 innings against the Yankees. That short outing clearly stuck with him.

In Baltimore, he came out aggressive and attacked the strike zone. Manager Alex Cora said Giolito’s approach—pounding the zone and getting ahead—was “exactly what the team needed.”

Offensive Support From Story and Hamilton

The Red Sox bats got going early, even though pitching grabbed the headlines. **Trevor Story** hit his 200th career home run in the second inning, putting Boston on top.

That milestone shot was a reminder of Story’s power and his steadying influence in a lineup that’s still finding its identity.

A Critical Insurance Run

In the third, **David Hamilton** added a solo homer to widen the lead. That gave Giolito a little breathing room on the mound.

With a cushion, Giolito could focus on executing pitches instead of worrying about a slim margin.

Red Sox Playoff Positioning

The win pushed Boston to **73-60**. They held a narrow half-game lead over the Yankees for the top AL Wild Card spot.

The Red Sox also crept within four games of the AL East-leading Blue Jays. At this point, every win matters—a lot.

Why Giolito Is the X-Factor

Giolito’s record—**9-2 with a 3.47 ERA**—only hints at his value. Alongside Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello, he gives Boston a rotation that’s ready for October.

Teammates love his poise and the way he mixes pitches. Hitters just can’t seem to figure him out, and that’s exactly what you want down the stretch.

Key Takeaways From the Night

For Boston fans, this win meant more than just another tick in the W column. It felt like a statement about the team’s resilience and playoff readiness.

• Elite Pitching Performance: Giolito threw eight scoreless innings and honestly, he looked like the ace Boston hoped for.
• Early Power Surge: Trevor Story’s 200th career homer fired up the dugout and set the mood right away.
• Extra Depth in the Rotation: Giolito, Crochet, and Bello are all dealing right now. That’s the kind of rotation you want heading into October.
• AL Playoff Race Pressure: Every win just cranks up the heat on the Yankees and Blue Jays. It’s getting tense.

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