Zach Neto crossed the plate on a double-play grounder in the 10th inning, lifting the Los Angeles Angels to a gritty 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Nolan Schanuel delivered a pair of RBIs, while Neto contributed two hits, an RBI, and the game-winning run. The victory marked the first time the Angels have won back-to-back games since their eight-game streak that ended on May 23.
Kenley Jansen (1-2) tossed a scoreless ninth to earn the win, and Reid Detmers recorded his first career save, joining Angels legends Nolan Ryan and Mike Witt as the only pitchers in franchise history to notch both a no-hitter and a save since the stat was made official in 1969.
In the top of the 10th, Schanuel laid down a bunt that Boston reliever Zack Kelly (1-2) mishandled, allowing Neto, who began the inning as the automatic runner, to advance to third. After Mike Trout walked, Taylor Ward grounded into a double play, but it was enough to bring Neto home with the decisive run.
Ceddanne Rafaela drove in two for Boston, and Jarren Duran added an RBI, but the Red Sox couldn’t avoid their eighth loss in 10 games.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi lasted five-plus innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and five walks while striking out five, including the 900th of his MLB career. Boston’s Brayan Bello pitched six solid innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, snapping a five-game streak of failing to complete five innings.
Key Moment
In the sixth inning, trailing 3-1, the Red Sox rallied after Trevor Story walked and Rafaela blasted an 89 mph slider from Kikuchi 426 feet over the Green Monster to tie the game.
Key Stat
The Red Sox fell to 6-17 in one-run games this season, continuing their struggles in close contests.
Up Next
The Angels will send José Soriano (4-5, 3.41 ERA) to the mound in Wednesday’s finale, while the Red Sox counter with Lucas Giolito (1-1, 4.78 ERA).
