Zach Neto is a stud and he proved so once again tonight. First there was this great throw to cut down a runner at home.
While Neto is a key piece to the young core, perhaps THE key piece to the young core, he is not alone. After both saving a run in the bottom of the second and punching in the first run of the game in the top of the third, Neto got some help from another youngster who is showing some studly attributes of his own.
I absolutely love that style of hitting. That’s some Rod Carew, Tony Gwynn, just go with the pitch and put it in play kind of stuff. And it netted two runs to push the Angels lead to 3-0.
Boston threatened in the bottom of the third. They had the bases loaded and a run on the board with only 1 out. But a big K by Kikuchi and a grounder ended the threat.
This was not a good night for Kikuchi. He issued 5 walks in 5 innings of work and had traffic all night. Ultimately a leadoff walk in the 6th was followed by a home run and Kikuchi left with the score tied at 3. Walks are a disturbing trend for the Japanese hurler this season and the reason seems really odd to me.
Brock Burke then Connor Brogdon kept the Sox off the board in the 6th and 7th innings respectively. That’s now 7 consecutive scoreless appearances for Brogdon who is throwing some pretty wicked stuff right now.
Hector Neris entered in the 8th inning and promptly gave up a single but put up yet another zero.
Boston countered with domestic abuser Aroldis Chapman in the top of the 9th. He mowed through Adell and Taylor then struck out Neto to wrap up a 1-2-3 inning.
Kenley Jansen pitched the bottom of the 9th, hoping to get the game to extras. It wasn’t easy, but he did his job.
Neto started the top of the 10th as the runner on second base. Schanuel attempted to bunt him over to third but an error led to him reaching safely. Trout then walked to load the bases with no out. Taylor Ward was spotted a 3-0 count and really had a chance to break the game open. Instead he swung at ball 4 and grounded into a double play. Neto scored to push the score to 4-3. Jorge Soler came up with 2 outs and Trout on 3rd and flew out.
Reid Detmers came in to protect the 1 run lead in the bottom of the 10th and looked great. He punched out 2 then got the red hot Rafaela to fly out.
Angels Win! Suck it chowds! Let’s get the sweep tomorrow!
