The Boston Red Sox saw an early 6-0 lead evaporate Wednesday night, until Rafael Devers hit a game winning RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to help clinch a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Boston has now won all five meetings in 2018 with LA.
Eduardo Nunez hit a solo homer, Sandy Leon hit a two run shot, and JD Martinez then hit his major league leading 25th home run, a three run shot in a six run bottom of the second inning to make it 6-0 Boston. Los Angeles got a solo homer from Ian Kinsler in the fifth, and a three run homer from Martin Maldonado in the sixth to cut it to 6-4, to end the night for Sox starter Rick Porcello who got a no decision. The Angels tied the game on a Joe Kelly throwing error to allow a run to score, and an RBI double from Andrelton Simmons to make it 6-6 in the top of the seventh. The hosts pulled back ahead to stay when Devers hit the game clinching RBI double, and Sandy Leon help to add insurance with an RBI single to make it 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh. A wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth finished off the scoring as JD Martinez scored from third base.
Porcello ended up going 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs, eight hits, two walks, with five strikeouts. Matt Barnes (2-2) earned the win with a hitless and scoreless 1.0 inning, while striking out the side. Craig Kimbrel earned his 23rd save by going 1.1 innings allowing no runs, no hits, one walk, with two strikeouts. Kimbrel struck out Luis Valbuena in a big spot with bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth. Leon and Martinez both finished with two hits and three RBI each, while Devers finished with three hits including the game winner. The 25th homer by Martinez is the most ever by a Red Sox player before the end of June. Boston moves back into first place with the win and a New York loss.
Boston goes for the three game sweep and season sweep Thursday night at 7:10, as they send lefty Brian Johnson out for a spot start. He will be opposed by Los Angeles righty Jaime Barria.
