Inning after inning, Nathan Eovaldi retook the mound. The Boston Red Sox right-hander has shown the ability for extended outings this season, reaching 101 pitches on three occasions.

But there was nothing like this — and he’s never done it in his 11-year career, either — blowing past 101 pitches and not stopping until he’d thrown his first-ever complete game. Eovaldi ran into the occasional hiccup against the Orioles, a rocky start and a blast over the Green Monster.

For the most part, however, the Red Sox starter cruised all the way to the end, not allowing more than one base runner in the final eight frames. Eovaldi powered Boston’s 5-3 victory in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, a steady presence who prevented the sort of late-inning fireworks that helped carry Baltimore (19-28) to a come-from-behind victory Friday night.

The Orioles’ best chance at a big inning came in the first frame, but they couldn’t capitalize on the first three batters reaching safely, with Anthony Santander’s RBI single the lone breakthrough. And after catcher Robinson Chirinos’ two-run home run over the Green Monster to level the score in the fifth, the bats soon went quiet, ending the first game Saturday in a less-than-emphatic manner.

Shorter than desired

The Orioles have so frequently counted on right-hander Jordan Lyles to provide length, and it’s a role Lyles cherishes. He does it “for the boys,” he says, wanting to limit the workload on the bullpen.

A lengthy outing during the first game of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader would’ve been the best possible outcome, especially after six relievers were required to cover for right-hander Kyle Bradish’s early exit in Friday night’s series opener.

Instead, Lyles turned in his shortest outing of the season, lasting 4 1/3 innings while giving up three runs on nine hits. The concessions could’ve been more severe, in truth, particularly when the Red Sox hit three doubles against Lyles in the second. He labored through that inning, finishing the frame at 51 pitchers before an eight-pitch third helped him at least push into the fifth.

The damage against Lyles all came with two outs in the second, although a strong relay throw from center fielder Cedric Mullins to second baseman Rougned Odor and onward to Chirinos caught Alex Verdugo at the plate.

But a double from Jackie Bradley Jr. and a single from Kiké Hernández brought home three runs against Lyles before left-hander Keegan Akin allowed two runs. Baltimore required two relievers to close out the first game Saturday, with right-hander Denyi Reyes — the 27th man for the doubleheader — starting what’s likely to be a bullpen game in the nightcap.

Around the horn

>> A day after infielder Jahmai Jones underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, the Orioles designated Jones for assignment to free a spot on the 40-man roster. Because Jones is in Triple-A, a move to the 60-man injured list wasn’t possible — if he was on the major league roster, his placement on the long-term injured list would’ve opened a 40-man spot.

>> The Orioles added Reyes as the 27th man for the doubleheader and called up right-hander Cody Sedlock, the club’s first-round draft pick in 2016. To make room, Baltimore optioned right-hander Beau Sulser to Triple-A Norfolk.

This story will be updated.

Doubleheader Game 2

ORIOLES@RED SOX

Saturday, 6:10 p.m.

TV: MASN

Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM

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