Red Sox erupt for 10 runs in the ninth, beat Orioles 17-1

BALTIMORE (AP) — Andruw Monasterio hit a grand slam as part of a 10-run ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox snapped a four-game skid with a 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

Willson Contreras added a three-run homer and Caleb Durbin a two-run shot in the frame against Orioles outfielder Weston Wilson, after Monasterio's drive had helped to chase reliever Keegan Akin in his season debut.

When the ninth was finally over, Boston had scored more runs in one inning than it had managed in its first 26 games.

The late power show came after Orioles starter Trevor Rogers (2-3) allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings, throwing 47 of his 62 pitches in the second. It continued a three-start stretch in which his ERA has ballooned from 1.89 to 4.75.

Garrett Crochet (3-3) struck out seven over six shutout innings, the first four coming while the game was still competitive.

Two starts after the ugliest outing of his Red Sox career — an 11-run performance over 1 2/3 innings at Minnesota — Crochet looked every bit the ace Boston traded for in December 2024 and signed to a $170 million, six-year extension in March 2025.

He allowed three hits, walked two and threw 57 of 90 pitches for strikes while lowering his ERA about 1 1/2 runs to 6.30. It was his first scoreless outing since six clean frames on opening day in Cincinnati.

Contreras finished with five RBIs and Durbin had three, Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela had three hits, and Connor Wong clubbed a three-run double in the fifth off Albert Suarez.

Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early (1-1, 2.88 ERA) makes his 10th career start and first in Baltimore in Sunday's series finale. He'll face Orioles righty Kyle Bradish (1-2, 3.96).

This story has been corrected to show that the Red Sox catcher's first name is Connor, not Colton, Wong.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Boston Red Sox' Caleb Durbin celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers (28) leaves the mound after a pitching substitution is made during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Boston Red Sox' Caleb Durbin (5) scores in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) on a hit by Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2) during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson (2) throws his helmet to the ground after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Boston Red Sox' Andruw Monasterio follows through on a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark was excited to get back on the court Saturday and play in a WNBA game, even if it was just the preseason.

Indiana's star played in her first game for the Fever in nine months after injuries derailed her second season, limiting her to 13 games. She received a warm ovation from the crowd when she was introduced in the starting lineup.

Clark said she had some nerves, but they didn't show early in Indiana's 109-91 win over the New York Liberty. She scored the first basket of the game and then a couple of possessions later hit her signature step-back 3-pointer from deep. After making her first two shots, Clark missed her final eight of the game. She finished with seven points, four assists and three rebounds in just under 17 minutes of play.

“Honestly, my shot felt really good and I was missing long, which is what you want to see,” Clark told The Associated Press after the game. “But it felt good. I felt fast, so that was definitely a positive. I think I struggled in that area last year, but my body felt great. I felt like I was moving well. So overall really happy.”

Before the game Clark said she was happy to just be out there playing again.

“I think anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes you don’t take that for granted, especially after coming off last year when I didn’t get to do that very much," she said.

Fever coach Stephanie White noticed a difference in Clark this preseason as opposed to her first two in the league.

“I think that’s the thing, watching her play with joy," White said. “In practice her energy is different, she's carrying herself in a different way.”

This wasn't Clark's first basketball game since suffering a season-ending injury last July. She played for USA Basketball in a World Cup qualifying tournament last month and earned Most Valuable Player honors.

“She was itchy and antsy before training camp started,” said White, who coached her in USA Basketball as well. “Glad she had those games with USA Basketball and came into training camp having played. ... Now it's fine tuning some of those things. She's in a great place.”

While Clark played, a few of the Fever's others didn't. Aliyah Boston was out while still recovering from a lower-leg injury. Lexie Hull is also working her way through a hamstring issue.

White said both would have played if it was a regular-season game.

The Fever were also without Ty Harris (knee) and Damiris Dantas, who is not with the team yet.

New York was missing Rebecca Allen, Marine Fauthoux and Satou Sabally, who were out to build their fitness up. Sabally was the biggest offseason acquisition by the Liberty, signing as a free agent.

Leonie Fiebich, Raquel Carrera, Pauline Astier and Ugonne Onyiah weren't with the Liberty yet as they were finishing up their overseas commitments.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

FILE - Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in action during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky in Indianapolis, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)