Angels Pummel Red Sox in Series Opener
Man, what a game at Fenway Park last night! The Los Angeles Angels absolutely crushed the Boston Red Sox in the first game of their series, winning 7-6. Honestly, it was one of those nights where you just shake your head and wonder what happened.
A First Inning for the Ages (for the Angels)
I've been covering baseball for a while now, and I've never seen anything quite like the Angels' first inning. Three home runs – Zach Neto led off with one, then Mike Trout blasted a three-run shot, and Jo Adell capped it off with a solo homer. Six runs before Boston even got an out. It was absolutely stunning. The Angels became the first visiting team ever to hit three homers in the first inning at Fenway. That's history, folks.
And speaking of Mike Trout, his three-run blast was his 1,675th career hit, putting him second on the Angels' all-time hits list. The guy's a legend. He finished 3-for-4, showing why he's one of the best hitters in the game. It's no coincidence the Angels seemed to struggle when he was out of the lineup.
Red Sox Fight Back, But Fall Short
To their credit, the Red Sox didn't give up. They battled back, scoring runs in the third and fifth innings. Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers led the charge, with some timely hitting from others. Romy Gonzalez's two-run double in the fifth brought them within one run. You could feel the momentum shift, at least for a little while. It felt like they really might pull it off. Ceddanne Rafaela even hit a solo homer in the eighth, making it a nail-biter. But Adell hit another solo homer for the Angels, and Kenley Jansen, former Red Sox closer, closed it out for the win.
Cora's Post-Game Thoughts
Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn't pull any punches in his post-game comments. He wasn't happy with the pitching, especially the first inning. He called it out directly, stating, "We have to make sure we start off series the right way," and emphasized the need for improvement from the pitching staff.
He also praised the team's fight back after that disastrous first inning, noting that their at-bats were significantly better after the initial shock. But ultimately, it wasn't enough.
Looking Ahead
The Red Sox are now 6-16 in one-run games this season, which is the most losses in the league in that category. That stat alone tells you a lot about their season so far. They’re facing an uphill battle, but Duran offered some encouraging words, expressing his determination to support his younger teammates and help them gain experience and confidence at the major league level.
The series continues tonight, with Yusei Kikuchi pitching for the Angels and Brayan Bello for the Red Sox. Can the Red Sox turn things around and avoid another series loss? We'll be watching.
- Key takeaway: The Angels' explosive first inning was the difference-maker.
- Key takeaway: The Red Sox fought back but couldn't overcome the early deficit.
- Key takeaway: Manager Cora highlighted the need for improved pitching, especially in the first inning.
Want More Baseball News?
Stay tuned to our site for ongoing updates and analysis of this series and other exciting MLB action!
