Pressed into service as an emergency starter for an Orioles team experiencing an unprecedented September pitching shortage in the final week of the season, rookie Ryan Meisinger erased leadoff man Mookie Betts’ single on a fielder’s choice — then watched as the next five batters reached and scored as Boston piled it on in a 19-3 win Wednesday afternoon to open a doubleheader at Fenway Park.
The 16-run margin is the Orioles’ most lopsided defeat of a club-worst season, topping a 14-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 7.
Meisinger was one of four actual pitchers used for the Orioles (45-112), including Donnie Hart, John Means, and Cody Carroll.