Ellsbury helps Red Sox sweep Orioles

  Boston Red Sox center-fielder and leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury opened the series finale against the Baltimore Orioles by patiently working a six-pitch walk. Immediately, an offense that has been scorching hot this month was in business, determined to continue their domination over the Orioles by finishing off a sweep of their divisional foe. Ellsbury has anchored their lineup all season long and has been extraordinarily consistent. He hit .287 during the season’s first month, .308 in May, .313 in June, an even .300 in July, .295 in August, and, entering Sunday’s play, .306 in the all-important month of September. In four of the first five months, he accumulated more stolen bases than strikeouts–47 to 40–and though his on-base percentage wasn’t necessarily up to par, when he reached base, good things happened for Boston. He stole his 63rd base during Victor Martinez’s at-bat, increasing his major-league leading total and putting him four ...