Sox Lose Series Opener With the Angels

The Red Sox headed into a 4 game series with the Angels who are in the middle of a division race with the A’s, so it seems like the Halos have a lot more to be playing for than the Red Sox. The Sox could help out their former teammates Lester, Gomes, Crisp, Lowrie, Reddick, Moss and Punto if they took a few games from the Angels, but it seems like they were unable to get that accomplished last night. Brandon Workman pitched well, but he still ended up with the loss for his efforts. The offense was once again non-existent and the bullpen wasn’t able to limit the damage.

Workman got in some trouble early in the 1st by allowing hits to the first two batters he faced, but he was able to shut down the next 3 in order and not allow the Angels to get a run across the plate.  The Angels didn’t get on the scoreboard until the 3rd inning when Workman gave up 2 runs.  Mike Trout hit an RBI single because mainly he is Mike Trout and then Pujols hit an RBI single to bring Trout home.  Sox 0-2.  The Sox were able to get one of those runs back in the 4th when Brock Holt hit an RBI single to score newly called up Mookie Betts.  Sox 1-2.  Workman stayed on the mound through the 7th inning and had himself a nice outing, albeit with him being in line for a loss.  Workman’s pitching line was 89 pitches, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB and 5 Ks.

Junichi Tazawa took the mound for the 8th and that is when the game went sideways on the Sox.  Tazawa walked Iannetta and then gave up a double to Calhoun to have runners at the corners and no outs.  Tazawa struck out Trout and then intentionally walked Pujols, but then he got a grounder back to the mound from Kendrick and instead of the inning being over, a throwing error allowed two runs to score.  Sox 1-4.  Next Tazawa got another grounder and at first it was scored that Pujols was safe at home on the play, but under review he was called out.  Phew.  Mujica took the mound in the 9th and had himself a nice 1-2-3 scoreless inning.  The Sox had a little bit of a rally going in the bottom of the 9th, but they would come up short.  Holt and Pedroia both got singles, but then Papi struck out for the first out.  Cespedes hit an RBI sac grounder that scored Holt from 3rd base, but that would be all the Sox could muster as Napoli hit a fly out for the 3rd and deciding out.

Red Sox 2  Angels 4  BOXSCORE

WP: Wilson (10-8)  LP: Workman (1-7)  SV: Jepsen (1)

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