The Los Angeles Angels overcame dropping the first three games of the series as well as a pair of weather-related delays and claimed a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Patriots’ Day.
The Red Sox fell to 8-9 on the campaign after they were unable to complete the sweep. The Angels improved to 8-8 after the win included rain delays of 56 minutes and one hour and 25 minutes.
Check out the box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
While Boston’s first inning struggles on the mound were impactful yet again — Red Sox have worst first-inning ERA in baseball (11.64) — the club did have opportunities to overcome the visitor’s four-run opening frame. But Boston couldn’t capitalize.
The Red Sox entered the ninth inning 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. They concluded the contest 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position after Rafael Devers (1-4 with RISP) hit an RBI single in the ninth to cut Boston’s deficit to one run.
With runners then on first and second and one out in the ninth, Rob Refsynder (0-4 with RISP) struck out and Masataka Yoshida popped out to third base. And that came after another notable example as the Red Sox had bases loaded with one out in the fourth inning and couldn’t score. Boston had a runner on second base with one out in the fifth and seventh innings, as well.
STARS OF THE GAME
— It might feel far-removed seeing how it took place more than four hours after first pitch, but Hunter Renfroe’s three-run home run in the first inning ended up being the key knock. The former Red Sox outfielder sent a 95 mph sinker from Brayan Bello 355 feet into the Green Monster seats.
— Besides a pair of errors in the sixth inning which ultimately didn’t hurt the Red Sox, reliever Kutter Crawford put together an impressive performance. Crawford came on with two outs in the third inning — after the weather delay — and went the next six-plus innings. Crawford allowed a mere one hit with five strikeouts as he threw 54 of his 72 pitches for strikes. Crawford’s ability to go the distance after Bello (five runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings) greatly helped Boston’s bullpen.
— Shohei Ohtani held the Red Sox without a hit during his brief, rain-shortened pitching performance. Ohtani only threw 31 pitches (20 strikes) while striking out three with one earned run after a walk and two wild pitches. At the plate, LA’s superstar recorded a pair of hits in five at-bats with one run scored.
WAGER WATCH
The rain at Fenway Park might have resulted in a tough day for bettors who made a wager on the pitching performances of Ohtani or Bello. Given that neither starter returned to the mound of after third-inning delay, both finished shy of their respective strikeout props. Ohtani (over/under 6.5) recorded three strikeouts while Bello (over/under 5.5) finished with five as both hurlers cashed on their respective unders at FanDuel Sportsbook. Some books like DraftKings Sportsbook will refund those wagers given the circumstances.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Tuesday for a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch it live on NESN after an hour of pregame coverage.
