The Orioles are handcuffed by Rich Hill in a 3-1 loss to the Red Sox

Maureen Mullen, The Associated Press

BOSTON — Anthony Santander and the Baltimore Orioles were neutralized by Rich Hill and three relievers in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

That loss undermined the Orioles’ chances of getting back into the picture for the fourth ace game in the American League.

Robinson Chirinos drove in and scored the Orioles’ lone run on a homer in the eighth inning. The Orioles (80-75) have lost four of their last five games. Heading into Wednesday’s games, they were three and a half games behind the Seattle Mariners and the second ticket to the fourth ace game.

Santander was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He had homered either side of home the day before in a 13-9 Orioles loss at Fenway Park. The power hitter had eight hits, including six homers, and driven in nine runs in his previous four games.

Hill (8-7) struck out nine batters in six innings and limited the Orioles batters to five hits.

He became the 21st pitcher in Major League history to make at least 25 starts in a season at age 42 or older. Bartolo Colon and RA Dickey, in 2017, were the last two pitchers to accomplish the feat.