Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz Key Six-Run Seventh, Sox Hand Jered Weaver First Loss of the Season, 9-5

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May 2, 2011

Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz Key Six-Run Seventh, Sox Hand Jered Weaver First Loss of the Season, 9-5 BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia fouled off nine pitches in a 13-pitch at-bat against Jered Weaver before lining a go-ahead, two-run single that helped the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-5 on Monday night.

The loss was Weaver's first of the season. Weaver (6-1) scratched Sunday due to a stomach virus, gave up three runs, six hits, struck out six and walked one over six innings. He failed to become the first pitcher since 1891 to go 7-0 by May 2 or sooner. Sadie McMahon of the Baltimore Orioles from the American Association was the last to open 7-0 by the second day of May.

Adrian Gonzalez had a three-run double and Clay Buchholz (2-3) pitched 6 2/3 solid innings for the win.

It was Boston's second straight win after dropping four of five, and raised its record to 5-0 against the Angels this season. The Red Sox, who swept four games in Anaheim from April 21-24, have beaten Los Angeles 14 of the past 15 games.

Vernon Wells hit a two-run homer for the Angels, who had won four of six since being swept by Boston.

Buchholz, coming off allowing a career-high 12 hits in a 4-1 loss at Baltimore in his last outing, held the Angels to two runs on eight hits, walking two and fanning two.

With the Red Sox trailing 2-1 in the fifth, Carl Crawford doubled and Jason Varitek walked before Jacoby Ellsbury bounced into a fielder's choice, erasing Varitek at second. During Pedroia's lenghty at-bat, Ellsbury stole second before the 2008 MVP won his battle with the two-run single to make it 3-2.

Gonzalez's double, Kevin Youkilis' RBI double and David Ortiz's two-run homer broke it open in the seventh, making it 9-2.

A soldier dressed in fatigues, seated next to the Red Sox dugout, held up a flag and led fans in a chant of 'U-S-A' early in the game. Ortiz hugged him on the way back after his shot into the Monster seats.

Boston grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on Youkilis' RBI single.

The Angles tied it on Bobby Abreu's RBI single after Maicer Izturis doubled with two outs, reaching second on a close play. Replays showed he was tagged just before he slid into the bag. In the first inning, he singled and was out trying to stretch it when he overslid the bag.

Los Angeles made it 2-1 in the fifth on Abreu's run-scoring fielder's choice.

There was a large flag draped over the 37-foor Green Monster for the national anthem, something usually reserved for holidays and Opening Day. Members of the military lined up along the edge of the grass at the warning track in left and helped carry the flag off the field. Both teams lined up along their respective foul lines in front of their dugouts during a moment of silence and the anthem.

The moment of silence was held for victims of 9-11 and those that lost their lives since fighting for the country. The PA announcer also asked fans to thank those that have risked their lives.

NOTES: Ellsbury left the game with a bruised left knee. … Red Sox manager Terry Francona said RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, who left Friday's start with tightness in his elbow, was pushed back two days to Friday. The reshuffled rotation has Jon Lester on Tuesday, Josh Beckett Wednesday and John Lackey on Thursday. … Angels manager Mike Scioscia said LHP Scott Kazmir, on the 15-day DL since the start of the season with a sore lower back, will pitch tomorrow in an extended spring training game and INF Kendry Morales, recovering from left ankle surgery last season, may hit this weekend. Scioscia also said "the important thing was for (Morales) to run right now." … With the two local professional winter teams in second-round playoff matchups, two retired stars threw out ceremonial first pitches: Satch Sanders from the Celtics and Derek Sanderson from the Bruins.

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