Adley Rutschman hit a three-run homer off the Pesky Pole, and Brayan Bello pitched five scoreless innings as the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 on Monday.
Jarren Duran added his 20th home run of the season as Boston scored four times in the second inning. Eli White contributed an RBI single in the third, helping the Red Sox build an early five-run lead at Fenway Park.
Moisés Ballesteros homered for the Angels, who lost for the 12th time in 14 games. Boston extended its winning streak to five and improved to an MLB-best 34-17 since the All-Star break.
Red Sox Strike in Second Inning
Boston broke open the game against Angels starter Grayson Rodriguez in the second.
Duran led off the inning and attacked the first pitch he saw. He drove it deep into the right-field seats for a solo home run and a 1-0 lead.
It was Duran’s 20th homer of the season.
The Red Sox continued to pressure Rodriguez after the leadoff shot.
Rutschman eventually came to the plate with two runners aboard and delivered the biggest hit of the game.
He pulled a drive down the right-field line. The ball struck the Pesky Pole for a three-run homer, extending Boston’s advantage to 4-0.
The four-run inning immediately put Los Angeles in a difficult position.
Rodriguez had entered the night after allowing three earned runs or fewer in six of his previous seven starts. Boston ended that stretch with its early offensive production.
White Extends Boston’s Lead
The Red Sox added another run in the third inning.
White delivered an RBI single, increasing the lead to 5-0.
Boston had scored five runs against Rodriguez before the Angels could produce any offense against Bello.
Rodriguez remained in the game through four innings but could not recover from the early damage.
He allowed five runs and took the loss, falling to 4-7.
The outing represented a setback after a more consistent stretch in the Angels rotation.
Boston did not need additional scoring after the third inning. Bello and the Red Sox bullpen kept Los Angeles from putting together a large enough rally.
Bello Returns With Five Scoreless Innings
Bello made his first start since June 4 and gave Boston five shutout innings.
The 27-year-old worked around four Angels hits and a high pitch count. He struck out seven and prevented Los Angeles from turning its baserunners into runs.
Bello had not started since allowing a career high-tying eight runs in his previous start in early June.
Boston then sent him to Triple-A for nearly a month.
After returning, Bello spent the next two months working effectively out of the bullpen. Interim manager Chad Tracy moved each member of the rotation back, creating an opportunity for Bello to start Monday.
He took advantage of it.
Bello completed five scoreless frames and left with Boston holding a comfortable lead. He improved to 6-7.
Angels Attempt Late Response
Los Angeles finally generated some offense after Bello left the game.
Ballesteros hit a solo home run for the Angels, cutting into Boston’s advantage.
The Angels eventually scored twice, but the early five-run deficit proved too large.
Boston used its bullpen to protect the lead after Bello’s departure.
Garrett Whitlock became the third Red Sox reliever to enter the game and handled the ninth inning.
Whitlock prevented Los Angeles from extending its comeback attempt and earned his third save of the season.
The Red Sox pitching staff held the Angels to two runs after Boston established control during the opening three innings.
Boston Continues Strong Second Half
Monday’s result extended one of the strongest second-half stretches in baseball.
Boston improved to 34-17 since the All-Star break, the best record in the majors during that span.
The Red Sox also won their fifth consecutive game.
The result moved Boston within two games of the Yankees for the top American League wild-card position. New York holds the tiebreaker after winning the season series between the clubs.
Boston’s recent success has included repeated production from a lineup that struck quickly against Los Angeles.
Duran needed only one pitch in the second inning to start the scoring. Rutschman then supplied the decisive blow with his three-run homer.
White’s RBI single gave Bello a five-run cushion by the end of the third.
Angels’ Difficult Stretch Continues
Los Angeles remained at the bottom of the AL West after another difficult night.
The Angels have lost 12 of their last 14 games.
They also continued to struggle against Boston this season. The Red Sox swept a three-game series in Anaheim in early July before taking Monday’s series opener at Fenway Park.
Rodriguez had shown improvement before facing Boston, but the Red Sox quickly ended his run of more effective starts.
The right-hander surrendered Duran’s solo homer and Rutschman’s three-run shot during the four-run second. White added another run an inning later.
Los Angeles could not answer while Bello remained in the game.
Ballesteros provided the Angels’ only home run, but Boston’s bullpen protected the advantage after Bello completed his five innings.
The Angels now have two games remaining in the series to reverse their recent trend.
Up Next
The three-game series continues Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Angels left-hander Reid Detmers is scheduled to start with a 4-8 record and a 3.44 ERA.
Boston will counter with left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who enters the matchup at 1-4 with a 4.41 ERA.
