Sean O’Sullivan paused, smiled briefly and admitted he was thinking about how impressive the Los Angeles Angels’ hitters looked a night earlier.
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They scored two more on three hits in the seventh, after which the Red Sox responded with three runs against Joe Smith.
However, the Los Angeles Angels made sure to put a stamp on Boston’s struggles, obliterating the Red Sox arms en route to a stunning 21-2 victory at Fenway Park on Saturday night, just their second win in the last 12 games.
Los Angeles is 2-14 in their last 16 against the AL East, 1-5 in Shoemaker’s last six road starts, and 1-7 in their last eight against a righty, while the Red Sox are 11-4 in their last 15 against the AL East, 7-3 in their last 10 Sunday games, and 4-1 in their last five against a righty.
In the ninth, former Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava lined a two-out, ground-rule double down the right field line that hit the top of the wall and was grabbed by a fan. Signed to a minor league contract in December, the 28-year-old right-hander was recalled from Triple-A before the game to make his third start with Boston.
Pujols proceeded to ground into what should have been an inning-ending double play, however, Boston third baseman Travis Shaw air-mailed the throw to second base, allowing all three runners to remain safe.
“A good bounce-back win”.
Each member of the Red Sox lineup had at least one hit, and six collected multi-hit games.
Price allowed six runs in 2 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Rangers on June 24. Cron’s career high six hits, including two home runs and five RBI’s.
This opened the door for Perez, who cleared the bases with a three-run double to blow the game open.
The five runs were the most Shoemaker had allowed since his April 30 start, which prompted his demotion to Triple-A. “We’re embarrassed by tonight’s ballgame”, Red Sox manager John Farrell, who has had to fight off rumors about his job security in recent days, told reporters after the loss. “But one pitch here or there and he’s got a little different outcome to his outing”.
Yunel Escobar had four hits and two RBIs for the Angels, who have lost 11 of 13.
Shoemaker, 7-10 a year ago after a 16-4 run in 2014, is 3-8 with a 4.12 ERA this season.
“It’s nearly all for naught after that fifth”, he said.
Based on the recent performance of the Boston Red Sox pitching staff over their recent swoon, you would expect that things could only improve.
Jackie Bradley Jr. followed with a single and scored on a double by Holt, who scored on a single by Vazquez to put Boston up 5-0.
Jose Alvarez gave up Leon’s double off the Green Monster.
Angels: 3B Escobar played his second straight game after missing seven in a row because of a tender left knee. Next Thursday’s off day will permit the Red Sox to need a fifth starter just this once before the All-Star break.
Cron and Perez each homered during the 11-run seventh.
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O’Sullivan kept his pitch count down with the help of two double plays in the third and fourth inning. David Ortiz had three of those hits, including his 522nd career homer, and is hitting.453 during an 18-game hitting streak at home.
