Zach Neto kick-started the Los Angeles Angels’ offense with a leadoff home run as rookie Christian Moore’s crucial sacrifice fly in a dynamic four-run eighth inning led them to a 9-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
The pivotal eighth inning began with LaMonte Wade Jr. reaching base on a single against Boston’s reliever Garret Whitlock. Seizing an opportunity, Wade successfully stole second base and advanced to third when the Red Sox’s catcher, Connor Wong, committed an error with his throw bouncing into center field.
Luis Rengifo drew a walk, setting the stage for Moore’s sacrifice fly which broke the tie for the Angels, giving them a 6-5 advantage. The inning continued with Neto adding to his tally with a single, and an intentional walk to Mike Trout loaded the bases with two outs. Taylor Ward then drew a walk to push in another run, while Travis d’Arnaud’s two-run single widened the gap to 9-5.
Angels’ pitcher Reid Detmers performed under pressure in the seventh inning, managing to escape a bases-loaded scenario by delivering 96 mph fastballs to strike out Roman Anthony and Trevor Story. Sam Bachman followed suit by setting down the side in order during the eighth, marking a flawless outing.
Closer Kenley Jansen left the game after throwing just four pitches in the ninth inning due to shoulder cramping, which he believed would not be a lingering issue. Hector Neris stepped in to close the game by securing the last three outs.
Before the Angels’ surge in the eighth, Boston starter Walker Buehler struggled with control early on. He issued four walks and hit two batters, resulting in a five-run first inning for the Angels. Meanwhile, Trevor Story had helped even the score for Boston with a solo home run in the sixth inning.
Boston managed a strong start in the first inning with three runs, including a two-run single by Wilyer Abreu, but saw their momentum halted due to mistakes on the bases. In the fifth inning, Jarren Duran’s double fizzled when he got caught in a rundown and Abraham Toro was tagged out attempting to seize second base during the same sequence.
Boston’s manager, Alex Cora, was ejected for the second successive game following disputes about Rengifo’s blocking of the base with his knee.
A notable performance from Neto came with his sixth leadoff home run of the season, drawing him closer to the franchise record of seven set by Brian Downing in 1987.
The teams will face off again on Tuesday night with Boston’s Garrett Crochet lining up against the Angels’ Tyler Anderson.