Shane Victorino Reaches Base On Bunt Single, Scores In Angels Debut (Video)

Shane Victorino’s presence in Los Angeles already is paying dividends.

The former Boston Red Sox outfielder — traded Monday to the Los Angeles Angels — played his first game for the Angels on Tuesday in a divisional matchup against the Houston Astros.

Victorino started in left field and batted eighth for the Angels. He led off the top of the second inning — with the Angels already leading — with a perfectly executed bunt single down the first base line. He moved to second on a ground out, and came around to score a run on a base hit by Angels third baseman Conor Gillaspie.

Victorino finished 1-for-4 in the Angels’ 10-5 loss.

Los Angeles and Houston are in the midst of a very tight AL West battle, with Los Angeles leading by mere percentage points. Houston acquired left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir earlier this month.

Victorino, who began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, wasn’t the only MLB player with ties to Boston and Philadelphia traded this week. Former Red Sox and Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon was traded to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.