Reid Detmers allowed one hit over six scoreless innings and struck out nine as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1 on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Zach Neto went 4-for-5 and added a two-run homer in the eighth. Vaughn Grissom and Jose Siri contributed RBI singles as Los Angeles collected 15 hits and ended Boston’s five-game winning streak.
The Angels earned only their third win in 15 games but avoided the possibility of a season sweep by Boston. Los Angeles improved to 1-4 against the Red Sox this season.
Detmers Controls Boston Lineup
Detmers delivered one of his strongest outings of the season despite needing a career-high 112 pitches to complete six innings.
The left-hander allowed only three batters to reach base. He struck out at least one hitter in every inning and did not allow a run.
Boston’s only hit against Detmers came in the first inning when Wilyer Abreu singled.
The Red Sox did not record another hit during Detmers’ outing.
Detmers hit Jahmai Jones with a pitch in the third but responded by retiring the final 10 batters he faced.
His pitch count prevented him from returning for the seventh. He left after six innings with nine strikeouts and one hit allowed.
Detmers improved to 5-8 and earned his first win since beating Kansas City 1-0 on Aug. 15.
Angels Build Lead Against Sandoval
Patrick Sandoval recorded seven strikeouts for Boston, but the Angels consistently found ways to reach base against him.
Los Angeles collected 10 hits and drew two walks over Sandoval’s six innings.
The Angels also scored twice on double-play grounders as they built their advantage.
A key sequence came in the third.
Sandoval issued a two-out walk to Mike Trout. Siri and Grissom then followed with consecutive RBI singles as Los Angeles increased its lead.
The Angels finished the inning with a 3-1 advantage and continued adding to their lead as the game progressed.
Sandoval completed six innings but allowed four runs. He fell to 1-5.
Los Angeles produced enough offense to support Detmers, who kept Boston from responding while he remained in the game.
Boston Breaks Through in Seventh
The Red Sox went without a hit from Abreu’s first-inning single until the seventh.
With Detmers out of the game, José Fermin entered for Los Angeles.
Trevor Story immediately doubled to begin the inning, ending Boston’s long stretch without a hit.
Nick Sogard later drove Story home with a single for the Red Sox’s only run.
Boston could not build a larger rally.
The Angels pitching staff held the Red Sox to four hits overall after Boston entered the night on a five-game winning streak.
Detmers accounted for most of that success. His six shutout innings prevented Boston from creating any sustained offensive pressure.
Neto Adds Late Insurance
Neto was the most productive hitter in a Los Angeles lineup that finished with 15 hits.
The Angels shortstop recorded four hits in five at-bats.
His biggest swing came in the eighth against Raymond Burgos.
Neto drove a two-run homer to left-center field, extending the Angels’ lead and giving the pitching staff additional room over the final innings.
The home run was his 24th of the season.
Neto’s performance helped Los Angeles turn its advantage in hits into a comfortable final margin.
Siri and Grissom also played important roles with their run-scoring singles, while the Angels used productive ground balls to add two more runs.
Los Angeles finished with 11 more hits than Boston.
Detmers Ends Winless Stretch
Detmers had not earned a winning decision in more than three weeks despite entering September as an important part of the Angels rotation.
He ended that stretch by controlling Boston for six innings.
His nine strikeouts reflected his ability to miss bats throughout the night. He recorded at least one strikeout in each inning he worked.
The high pitch count was the main limitation.
Detmers reached 112 pitches after six innings, the highest total of his career. The Angels chose to turn the game over to their bullpen rather than send him out for the seventh.
By then, he had retired 10 consecutive batters and allowed just one hit.
Boston’s first-inning single and the third-inning hit batter accounted for two of the three runners who reached against him.
Angels End Boston’s Winning Streak
The Red Sox entered Tuesday having won five straight games.
Los Angeles stopped that run behind a combination of Detmers’ pitching and steady offensive production.
The Angels had struggled entering the game, winning only twice in their previous 14 contests.
They also faced the possibility of going winless against Boston this season after dropping the first four meetings.
Instead, Los Angeles collected 15 hits and limited Boston to four.
Neto led the offense with his four-hit performance. His eighth-inning homer helped put the game out of reach after Boston scored in the seventh.
The result also gave the Angels an opportunity to win the three-game series in Wednesday’s finale.
Up Next
The Angels and Red Sox conclude their three-game series Wednesday in Boston.
Right-hander Ryan Johnson is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. He enters with a 3-8 record and a 5.17 ERA.
Boston will counter with left-hander Jake Bennett, who is 9-6 with a 3.34 ERA.
