Red Sox Stun Angels Behind Pedroia's Home Run
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run home run and Xander Bogaerts followed with a solo blast to lead a five-run rally in the ninth inning that gave the Boston Red Sox a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in front of 39,553 at Angel Stadium.
Right-hander Clay Buchholz earned the victory with three hitless innings of relief. Buchholz (4-9) permitted just one baserunner on a walk and collected one strikeout. Brad Ziegler received his second save.
The Red Sox used the win to close within 1 1/2 games of the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles.
Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, who was playing his final game in Anaheim, received standing ovations before his first and fourth plate appearances from the large contingent of Red Sox fans. Supporters chanted "Papi, Papi" during his at-bat in the eighth inning, and gave him another standing ovation after he struck out, when Los Angeles held a 3-0 lead..
The Angels needed one strike to complete the shutout when the Red Sox erupted for five runs in the top of the ninth inning against closer Huston Street (3-2). Jackie Bradley Jr. began the inning with a walk and Aaron Hill followed with a single before Street struck out Ryan Hanigan and Brock Holt.
Then on a 2-2 pitch, Mookie Betts hit a single to right field to bring home Bradley. Pedroia then hit his 12th home run of the year, a three-run drive over the center-field fence that gave the Red Sox their first lead of the game. Bogaerts, the next hitter, added his 14th homer to left-center field to chase Street and complete the rally.
Los Angeles brought the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth when Yunel Escobar singled for this third hit. But Ziegler induced Kole Calhoun to hit into a double play to ensure the victory.
The Angels combined four hits and a walk to take a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning. With one out, Escobar singled between Wright's legs and Calhoun followed with a looping single between shortstop Bogaerts and center fielder Bradley to send Escobar to third base.
Mike Trout drove in Escobar by lining a single off the glove of a leaping Bogaerts. Calhoun took third on the play and scored when Albert Pujols grounded out, with Trout moving to second. After Andrelton Simmons walked, Jefry Marte blooped another single into center field to bring Trout home.
Los Angeles had a chance to move ahead in the first inning but two unusual plays thwarted the club.
With Escobar at second base and Calhoun at first, Trout singled past a diving Bogaerts into left field. Left fielder Bryce Brentz tried to throw out Escobar at the plate but catcher Hanigan dropped the ball. However, Escobar fell awkwardly and failed to touch the plate. Wright recovered the loose ball and tagged Escobar out.
Pujols then dumped a single into short right field to load the bases. Simmons followed by striking out on a pitch that eluded Hanigan. Calhoun tried to score on the play but Hanigan retrieved the ball and threw to Wright, who tagged Calhoun to complete the double play.
NOTES: Boston began the day batting .191 (9-for-47) with runners in scoring position and had left 40 runners on base over the previous six games, five of which the Red Sox lost. ... Red Sox RHP Craig Kimbrel allowed one hit in one-third of an inning during his rehabilitation assignment Saturday night for Triple-A Pawtucket. Kimbrel will rejoin the team during its series in Seattle later this week. ... Before Sunday, Pujols needed two extra-base hits to tie Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and Rafael Palmeiro for seventh place all-time with 1,192. ... Angels CF Mike Trout entered Sunday's game needing one home run to become the fifth player in American League history to hit at least 20 homers in five seasons before turning 25. The others are Tony Conigliaro, Alex Rodriguez and Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr.