Red Sox top Baltimore in series opener, 5-2

The Boston Red Sox are starting to pull away with the AL East. The Sox opened a crucial four-game series at Baltimore with a 5-2 win Monday night, with Rick Porcello getting his 21st win of the season in the process.

Porcello (21-4, 3.08 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) went the distance in the win, giving up two runs on four hits, striking out seven without issuing a walk, needing only 89 pitches.

Dylan Bundy (9-6, 4.13 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits in five innings, striking out three and walking two.

Adam Jones (.276/.319/.458, 28 HR, 81 RBI) hit a solo homer for the Orioles (82-68), who fall to four games back in the AL East behind Boston (86-62).

The O’s have a half-game lead on Toronto for the first AL wild-card spot, with Detroit and Seattle two and a half games back.