Angels 5, Red Sox 2: Albert Pujols ripped a two-run double and Zack Greinke tossed seven solid innings as host Los Angeles continued its mastery of Boston by completing a sweep of the six-game season series.
Torii Hunter collected three hits and scored twice and Mark Trumbo and Alberto Callaspo added RBI singles for the Angels, who have claimed eight in a row against the Red Sox. Los Angeles has won seven of its last nine overall and remained 3 1/2 games in back of Baltimore for the American League's second wild-card spot. The Orioles posted a 5-3 triumph over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday afternoon.
Mike Trout scored on Pujols' first-inning double, accounting for his 103rd run in his 108th game. The run scored tied Devon White's franchise rookie record, which was set over 159 contests during the 1987 season.
All was not rosy for the Angels, who saw Howie Kendrick exit the contest with a sore right knee. Kendrick's 15-game hitting streak came to an end after his 0-for-1 performance at the plate.
Greinke (3-2) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven to pick up the victory. Kevin Jepsen worked a scoreless eighth inning before Ernesto Frieri struck out a pair in the ninth for his 16th save.
James Loney, who had three hits, belted his first homer as a member of the Red Sox. He also came around to score on Mike Aviles' sacrifice fly in the second inning for Boston, which has dropped eight of its last 11.
Jon Lester (8-11) saw his season-high three-game winning streak come to an end after permitting five runs on nine hits in eight innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dustin Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a one-out double in the third inning. ... The Red Sox recalled RHP Daniel Bard from Triple-A Pawtucket prior to the game. ... Loney has recorded hits in every contest since being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Boston will head to Oakland on Friday to begin a three-game set with the Athletics. ... Los Angeles will travel to the Pacific Northwest for a three-game series with AL West rival Seattle.
Boston | LA Angels | |
Jon Lester | Player | Zack Greinke |
Loss | W/L | Win |
8.0 | IP | 7.0 |
2 | Strikeouts | 7 |
9 | Hits | 5 |
5.62 | ERA | 2.57 |
Boston | LA Angels | |
James Loney | Player | Torii Hunter |
3 | Hits | 3 |
1 | RBI | 0 |
1 | HR | 0 |
6 | TB | 3 |
.750 | Avg | .750 |