Zach Neto hit a three-run homer over the Green Monster, and Jose Siri added a two-run shot as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
Ryan Johnson pitched six innings for Los Angeles and earned the win after the Angels built a 6-0 lead. Denzer Guzman also homered as Los Angeles took two of three games in the series.
The Angels won consecutive games for the first time since their three-game run against Texas from Aug. 11-13. They also secured their first road series win since taking two of three from Houston from Aug. 18-20.
Angels Break Through With Five-Run Inning
Los Angeles did most of its damage against Boston starter Jake Bennett in one inning.
Neto delivered the biggest swing when he drove a three-run homer into the first row of seats above the Green Monster.
The home run was Neto’s 25th of the season and gave the Angels a 3-0 advantage.
Los Angeles quickly added to the lead.
Mike Trout followed with a double, giving the Angels another runner in scoring position.
Siri then drove a pitch into Boston’s bullpen for a two-run homer. His eighth home run of the season stretched the lead to 5-0.
The five-run inning surpassed the previous season high of four runs allowed by Bennett in a game.
Guzman later added another long home run for Los Angeles.
His solo shot struck a billboard high above the Green Monster seats and extended the Angels’ advantage to 6-0.
Three home runs accounted for all six Los Angeles runs.
Johnson Starts With Four Scoreless Innings
Johnson entered Wednesday’s game during his best stretch of the season.
The right-hander had posted a 1.67 ERA over his previous six starts. He had allowed no more than one run in five of those outings.
Johnson continued that form early at Fenway Park.
He worked four scoreless innings and surrendered only two singles while the Angels built their six-run lead.
Boston eventually found some success against him, but Johnson completed six innings and gave Los Angeles enough length to protect its advantage.
He allowed three runs and improved to 4-8.
The outing continued a productive stretch for Johnson, even though the three runs represented more damage than he had allowed in most of his recent starts.
With the offense providing early support, Johnson did not need to protect a narrow margin.
Bennett Allows Season-High Six Runs
Bennett had difficulty containing the Angels’ lineup once Los Angeles broke through.
The Boston starter allowed a season-high six runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Five of those runs came during the Angels’ biggest inning.
Neto’s three-run homer created the first separation before Trout’s double and Siri’s two-run shot quickly added to the damage.
Guzman’s solo homer accounted for the other Los Angeles run.
Bennett fell to 9-7.
The six runs marked his highest total allowed in a start this season.
Boston’s offense eventually reduced the deficit, but the early damage forced the Red Sox to spend most of the night trying to recover from a six-run hole.
Anthony, Abreu Lead Boston Response
The Red Sox generated their offense through the long ball as they attempted to work their way back into the game.
Roman Anthony hit a two-run homer for Boston.
Wilyer Abreu added a solo shot.
Those home runs accounted for the three runs Johnson allowed over his six innings.
Boston continued to push after Johnson left, but the Angels bullpen carried the lead into the ninth.
Los Angeles had enough of a cushion to withstand one final Red Sox run.
Joyce Closes Out Series Win
Ben Joyce handled the ninth inning for the Angels.
Boston scored once against him, cutting the final margin to two runs.
Joyce prevented the Red Sox from extending the rally and recorded the final three outs.
He earned his fourth save of the season.
The Angels’ 6-4 win followed their result Tuesday, when they stopped Boston’s five-game winning streak.
Boston had taken the series opener on Monday before Los Angeles responded with wins on consecutive nights.
The two victories gave the Angels their first back-to-back wins in nearly a month.
Angels Take First Road Series Since August
Los Angeles entered the series in a difficult stretch and had won only three of its previous 14 games.
The Angels left Boston with their fourth win in 15 games and a series win against a Red Sox club that had entered Tuesday riding a five-game winning streak.
The result also ended a longer drought away from home.
Los Angeles had not won a road series since taking two of three games against Houston from Aug. 18-20.
Neto, Siri, and Guzman supplied the power on Wednesday, while Johnson gave the Angels six innings on the mound.
Neto’s home run was the central hit in the early scoring burst. His three-run shot gave Los Angeles immediate separation before Siri made it a five-run advantage.
Guzman’s homer then gave Johnson a six-run cushion.
Despite losing two of three in this series, Boston finished with the better head-to-head record this season.
The Red Sox swept three games in Anaheim in early July and won the season series 4-2.
Up Next
The Angels continue their road trip Friday with the opener of a three-game series against Washington.
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. He enters the game with a 1-5 record and a 4.96 ERA.
Boston opens a three-game series against Kansas City on Friday. Right-hander Sonny Gray is scheduled to start for the Red Sox with a 17-4 record and a 2.69 ERA.
