Written by David Ginsburg at Boston.com
Rick Porcello and the Boston Red Sox appear poised to extend their late-season charge deep into October.
Porcello pitched a four-hitter for his major league-high 21st victory, David Ortiz and Mookie Betts hit two-run homers and Boston beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Monday night to pad its lead in the AL East.
Coming off a four-game sweep of the Yankees, the Red Sox extended their surge in the opener of an important four-game series for both clubs. Boston has won 10 of 13 and stands atop the division by a season-high four games.
‘‘It’s never over until it’s over, but we’re definitely going to try to increase the gap between us and them,’’ Porcello said.
Adam Jones homered and Mark Trumbo picked up his 102nd RBI for the second-place Orioles, who started the day with a one-game lead over Toronto for the top AL wild card.
‘‘We’ve got three more here against (the Red Sox),’’ Baltimore’s Manny Machado said. ‘‘We’ll just put it on a track where we need to be.’’
Boston’s goal over the next three days will be to put away the Orioles for good.
‘‘We’re going to try,’’ Ortiz said.
Porcello (21-4) struck out seven and walked none in his third complete game of the year. Five days earlier against Baltimore, the right-hander gave up one run in eight innings but took the loss.
In this one, he threw only 89 pitches — 65 in the strike zone.
‘‘When it’s his day on the mound, he sets the tone for us,’’ manager John Farrell said. ‘‘Did once again.’’
Porcello has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 straight starts and is sure to receive strong consideration for the AL Cy Young Award after going 9-15 last year.
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