Today we got to see if Tyler Anderson could complete the sweep against Boston. Aaron Loup was one of the most available bullpen pieces. As it turns out, Anderson was reasonable. He made it through six innings and left the Angels with a six run lead. James Paxton was relatively ineffective.
In the top of the first inning, Justin Turner did manage a walk but the Angels ended the Boston threat with their first double play of the day. The Angels went three up three down.
In the Second inning, the Red Sox got men on first and third with one out. The Angels executed a rather strike ’em out throw ’em out double play. After the strikeout, Wallach threw to Rengifo at second who threw straight back to Wallach to cut Rafael Devers down trying to steal home.
Hunter Renfroe led the Angels second inning off with a four pitch walk. Thanks Paxton. Brandon Drury lined a double to left to put men on second and third with no outs. Gio Urshela hit a sac fly to score Hunter Renfroe.
Luis Rengifo struck out and Chad Wallach earned a walk. Zach Neto homered. Yes, this time it really was Zach Neto. Three runs make it 4-0 Angels.
The Red Sox went three up three down in the top of the third inning. Mike Trout came up and struck out for the second time of the game. Shohei Ohtani homered to avenge Trout. 5-0 Angels.
Hunter Renfroe lined out but Brandon Drury singled to put a man on first with two outs for Gio Urshela who walked. Luis Rengifo struck out to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth Masataka Yoshida doubled with one out. Rafael Devers hit a fly ball out. Enrique Hernandez also doubled to score Yoshida. 5-1 Angels. Pablo Reyes grounded out for the third out.
Nick Pivetta came in to replace James Paxton on the mound for the bottom of the fourth. He struck out Chad Wallach for the first out. Zach Neto hit a base hit to center. Taylor Ward hit a fly ball out to center. Mike Trout homered to score two more. 7-1 Angels.
Shohei Ohtani ended the inning with a flyout.
In the top of the fifth inning Raimel Tapia got a one out walk, Rob Refsnyder got a two out single and Justin Turner grounded out to end the top of the fifth. The Angels went three up three down.
In the top of the sixth, the Red Sox went three up and three down. Luis Rengifo struck out swinging. Chad Wallach hit a flyout to right. Zach Neto hit a ground rule double to left. With two outs and a man in scoring position Taylor Ward hit a fly ball out to right to end the inning.
Anderson only struck out three but he left with a good lead and the Angels couldn’t ask for much more than that.
The Angels brought in Reyes Moronta to replace Tyler Anderson with a six run lead. I guess that’s a good thing. … Oh. I see. Never mind. Connor Wong homered to make it 7-2 Angels. Raimel Tapia then singled. Rob Refsnyder drew a two out walk. Moronta threw a wild pitch to advance Raimel Tapia to third and Rob Refsnyder to second. He then walked Justin Turner to load them up. Chris Devenski then replaced Moronta on the mound. Devenski got Yoshida to ground out to end the top of the seventh inning.
The Red Sox brought in Justin Garza to pitch to the Angels in the bottom of the seventh. Mike Trout grounded out as did Shohei Ohtani. Hunter Renfroe at least made contact for his out.
The Red Sox went one, two, three for the top of the eighth inning. Kenley Jansen came in to replace Justin Garza on the mound. The Angels almost went three up three down as well if it weren’t for Jared Walsh who walked. Chad Wallach popped up to end the inning.
The Angels brought in the dreaded Aaron Loup to pitch the ninth inning with a mere five run lead. I found this concerning. Loup walked the first batter, Connor Wong. He got Raimel Tapia to ground out. Connor Wong advanced to second. He got Jarran Duran to ground out, although Connor Wong advanced to third. Rob Refsnyder singled to score Connor Wong. 7-3 Angels. Justin Turner lined out to Mike Trout. You can light that halo with copious lighter fluid all over that one, the Angels swept the Red Sox winning this game 7-3.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
