Primed for stretch run, Red Sox thump O's

BOSTON -- Friday night felt like the true start of the stretch run for the Red Sox.

Kyle Schwarber officially arrived in full health, two weeks after he was acquired in a trade with the Nationals.

• Box score

Some of the hitters who have struggled while waiting for Schwarber showed signs that better times are ahead.

And the starting pitching -- one day before Chris Sale makes his long-awaited season debut and first start in the Major Leagues in two years -- stayed on its recent roll, with Nick Pivetta leading the charge in Boston’s 8-1 victory over the Orioles at Fenway Park.

• Sale to the rescue. Is it enough?

The Red Sox won for the second time in the last three games after losing 10 of 12. Here are some encouraging takeaways from Friday.

Rotation turning the right way
When the Red Sox got into a rut following the All-Star break, one of the biggest issues was a faltering starting rotation. Of late, that has not been a problem.

Pivetta (9-5, 4.20 ERA) dazzled for the second straight start, allowing three hits and one run while striking out eight over six innings. Over his last two starts, he has allowed one run in 12 innings, walking three and striking out 13.

The key? Fastball command.

“I think it’s just having confidence in it, confidence in myself, knowing my stuff plays every single time I go out and pitch,” Pivetta said. “It’s staying confident in my heater and allowing other pitches to complement that.”

Though the Red Sox are a modest 3-4 in the last seven games, the rotation has thrived over that period, posting a 2.61 ERA with 47 strikeouts and just eight walks in 38 innings.

“I think it’s really important that we continue to build off of each others’ outings, keep it game to game and day to day,” said Pivetta. “It keeps a lot of focus off the other white noise that’s out there. Just focusing on our jobs, putting up zeros, taking some pressure off the offense, I think that’s really important.”

Duran and Dalbec contribute
The two rookies who have struggled at the plate both made key contributions on Friday.

Jarren Duran got the Red Sox on the board with an RBI single to right-center in the second, and he added an RBI double to right in the third.

Now 22 games and 74 at-bats into his career, Duran has a line of .216/.234/.351. But with his considerable talent, there’s a chance he’ll be a key player in the coming weeks.

“Every day’s a battle, especially with big league pitching,” said Duran. “Every day you just have to come to work, and I’m just hoping I’m taking steps in the right direction to help benefit the team.”

Bobby Dalbec, who has struggled mightily against righties all season (.189/.245/.354), belted a two-run double off the Monster against righty starter Spenser Watkins. He added a solo shot to center against righty reliever Dusten Knight and a double down the line in left against righty César Valdez.

After smashing eight homers in his first 80 Major League at-bats last season, Dalbec (.229/.281/.422, 12 homers in 301 at-bats) has been grinding to reach his expected level of success in his rookie season. In his last seven games, he’s 9-for-18, and he has reached base in 11 of his last 12 starts.

“I do believe today was his best game overall,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “It’s one of those that, we know that our guys on top of the lineup are going to do the job, but we need other guys to contribute.”

Renfroe with the bat and glove
Acquired to be a platoon player in the offseason, Hunter Renfroe continues to thrive as an everyday player for the Sox.

In the top of the fourth, Renfroe raced back to the visitors’ bullpen in right, timed his short leap perfectly and took a home run away from DJ Stewart.

“He works on that stuff whenever we have batting practice out there. As you guys know, he’s one of the best if not the best defensive right fielder in the big leagues, but he takes pride doing that,” Cora said.

With the bat, Renfroe jump-started a four-run rally in the second with a hard single to right and hammered his 20th homer onto the street beyond the Green Monster in the seventh.

“When he started hitting the ball the other way, it’s a lot different. It started against Tampa Bay the other day with the double, and today right away he went the other way,” said Cora. “He demolished that ball today, but I was more pleased with the line drive he hit early in the game.”

Schwarber kept line moving
Though Schwarber didn’t get any hits in his Boston debut, he showed off strong plate discipline by walking his first two times up and scoring both times. Considering Schwarber hadn’t played since July 2 and the one rehab game he was supposed to play in got rained out, it was a strong beginning.

“It’s a different at-bat with Kyle,” said Cora. “It’s a more patient approach. Obviously he’s looking to do damage, and hopefully that’s the start of something good. We still don’t know how it’s going to look when everybody is playing, but whether he’s hitting second or fourth or sixth, it’s a quality at-bat, and he protects a lot of guys in the lineup.”

While Schwarber made his presence felt in a subtle way on Friday, the Red Sox will have their first Sale day since 2019 on what should be a rocking Saturday at Fenway.

“It should be fun,” Cora said. “It’s been two years and one day since he has pitched at the big league level. Like I said, obviously we want good results. Obviously, we want to win games. But this is more about the individual and the fact that his family is going to be here. It’s going to be a packed house hopefully tomorrow.

“The K man will probably be out there. It should be great. Looking forward to that, and hopefully it will give us that boost that we’re looking for. Today was cool, but tomorrow, I’m really excited to see this.”