Takeaways: Red Sox Fall to Orioles in Series Opener

After picking up the series win over the Texas Rangers at home this week, the Boston Red Sox dropped the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

The Orioles' 5-1 victory puts the Red Sox further behind in the race for the American League East Division.

Boston did not have much like at the plate in the first game of the series.

What are the biggest things to take away from game one between the Red Sox and Orioles?

Nick Pivetta gave Boston a chance to win

A lot can be determined by the type of outing a team gets from their starting pitcher and Boston's shoved in the series opener.

In five innings on the mound, Pivetta allowed three runs off three hits, walked one batter and struck out six.

This is a start that Pivetta would be ok with most of the time but the lack of run support he had in this game could not be overcome.

The Red Sox looked dead in the batter's box

Boston managed to put just one run across the plate off six hits. Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning.

Five members of Boston's batting order produced hits, Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela each had two.

Boston could not do anything with those runners once it had them on, however, and that led to its series-opening loss.

Chase Shugart had a good bullpen outing

Red Sox manager Alex Cora and company have to be pleased with what they saw from Shugart in relief tonight.

In 2.2 innings of relief, the 27-year-old right-hander held Baltimore to one run off three hits, did not walk anyone and struck two batters out.

Shugart could make a fine addition to the Red Sox bullpen which has ultimately been decent this season.

The Red Sox are now 63-57 on the season.

Game 2

The Red Sox will look to remain in contention for the series by picking up a victory tomorrow. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.