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With a first-inning blitz and yet another effective pitching performance, the Boston Red Sox tied an 80-year-old franchise record for most consecutive wins.
The Red Sox won their 15th consecutive game Wednesday, July 22, scoring four first-inning runs and easily suppressing the Baltimore Orioles in a 6-3 victory in Game 1 of the teams' day-night doubleheader.
Now, the 1946 Red Sox have company - at least for a few hours.
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They set the franchise record for consecutive wins with a team centered around Ted Williams, who returned from three years of service during World War II to win the American League MVP, hitting 38 home runs and leading the major leagues in seven significant offensive categories.
These Red Sox don't have such a future Hall of Fame luminary. But they have shown the gumption to overcome a miserable start and start exploiting a less-than-mediocre AL.
Wednesday, they rapped four consecutive hits in their first five batters, including a two-run single from Caleb Durbin, who'd provided their 14th consecutive victory July 20 with an eighth-inning home run. That was more than enough for rookie left-hander Jake Bennett, who improved to 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA with 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball.
Red Sox pitchers have posted a 2.05 ERA in their 15-game winning streak.
When will the Red Sox try for 16 straight wins?
Boston won't have long to ruminate on its franchise-tying streak. The Red Sox and Orioles play the second game of their day-night doubleheader at 7:10 ET Wednesday, offering an immediate chance for a record-breaking 16th win in a row. The Red Sox named Eduardo Rivera their starting pitcher, while the Orioles will start ace Kyle Bradish. Lefty Ranger Suarez is feeling under the weather.
Where does the Red Sox's streak rank?
Boston's 15-game run ranks tied for fifth since 2000, equaling the 2000 Atlanta Braves and 2001 Seattle Mariners. They still have plenty of work remaining to equal Cleveland's record 22-game streak in 2017. The Red Sox do, however, own the second-longest streak for a team that was at least 11 games under .500 when it began.
The 1916 New York Giants won 17 consecutive games after a 2-13 start.
What is the Red Sox's record?
Their 15th straight win gives Boston a 52-48 record, a practically literal turnaround from the 37-48 mark before it began. At the moment, they are six games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East and have a two-game lead for the final AL wild-card berth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boston Red Sox tie 80-year-old record with 15th consecutive win
