Red Sox Edge Angels in Thrilling 7-5 Victory
Boston’s Fenway Park was alive Sunday night as the Red Sox edged the Los Angeles Angels 7-5, completing a three‑game sweep and pulling within a game of .500.
Bullpen Dominance After Early Exit
The victory was built on a dominant relief effort. After starter Ranger Suarez left early with left adductor tightness, five Boston arms combined to allow just two runs over 6 1/3 innings, with Greg Weissert, Tyron Guerrero and Garrett Whitlock delivering 4 1/3 hitless frames.
Angels Take Early Lead
The Angels jumped out front in the first, scoring twice on Jorge Soler’s grounder and Jo Adell’s RBI single, but the Red Sox answered in the second when Jarren Duran launched his 13th homer, a two‑run shot that tied the game.
Third‑Inning Misstep
Boston’s third inning turned pivotal when shortstop Zach Neto committed his league‑leading 14th error, allowing three unearned runs to cross the plate and give the Sox a 5-3 lead.
Contreras’ Power Surge
Willson Contreras then delivered a 446‑foot blast to left‑center, his 20th homer of the season, extending the advantage to 5-3 before the Sox added two more runs in the seventh with a sacrifice fly by Wilyer Abreu and an RBI single from Masataka Yoshida.
Insurance Runs in the Seventh
The Red Sox tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh on Abreu’s sacrifice fly and Yoshida’s RBI single, pushing the lead to 7-3.
Late Rally Falls Short
The Angels rallied in the eighth, plating a run on Donovan Walton’s double and an RBI single from Adell, but the Red Sox sealed the win with Aroldis Chapman’s 18th save after a solo homer by Neto in the ninth.
What’s Next for Boston and Los Angeles
Looking ahead, Boston’s left‑hander Payton Tolle is slated to face the White Sox’s Noah Schultz on Tuesday night in Chicago, while the Angels will turn to right‑hander Jose Soriano opposite Texas’s Jacob deGrom in the Lone Star State.