Trumb-O’s! Rocket out of Fenway tightens race

BOSTON — In Wednesday’s riveting pitchers’ duel at Fenway Park, one big swing by Major League home run leader Mark Trumbo was the difference as the Orioles came through with a 1-0 victory that leaves them just one game behind the Red Sox in the American League East.

Trumbo hit a mammoth solo homer over everything in left that cut through a gusting wind that was blowing straight in. It was Trumbo’s 42nd homer, and it came against Rick Porcello, who lost for the first time at Fenway this season after winning 13 straight home decisions.

Kevin Gausman was magnificent for the Orioles, breezing through eight innings while holding the Red Sox to four hits while walking one and striking out six. Only in the seventh inning did Boston put more than one runner on base. O’s closer Zach Britton continued his amazing season by notching the save in the ninth — his 43rd in as many opportunities.

“To think you can make one run stand up in this ballpark against as good an offensive team they are is a real tribute to how well Kevin and Zach pitched,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. “Kevin knew he was going to have to be on top of his game. Porcello’s having a great year and he’s going to be another Cy Young candidate that we’ve seen a lot of them on this road trip.”

Aside from the one mishap to Trumbo, Porcello (20-4) was just as effective as Gausman, allowing four hits, one run and no walks to go along with six strikeouts.

“This was a classic pitchers’ duel,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell. “Both guys had their A game working. “It’s a one-pitch swing of the bat from Trumbo is the difference in it.”

With 17 games left, the top four teams in the AL East are separated by four games. Toronto is two back, and the Yankees, who come to Fenway for the start of a four-game series on Thursday, are four back.

“This is going to be a hard-fought division right to the final game of the season, and we fully embrace it,” said Farrell. “We fully expect it, and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

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