Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman had not allowed a single stolen base in eight starts this season heading into Thursday night. No baserunner had even attempted to steal against him this season, and over the course of his career, Gausman has controlled the running game well, allowing just 20 stolen bases in nearly 700 major league innings.
So how did the Boston Red Sox swipe five bases in 4 2/3 innings – including four in a four-run fifth -- against Gausman in the Orioles’ 6-2 loss at Fenway Park?
Three of the five steals – all of second base – came after Red Sox base runners took huge jumps off first, and two drew pickoff throws to first that were far too late to catch the runner at second.