The Los Angeles Angels completed a stunning sweep of the struggling Boston Red Sox with a resounding 7-3 victory on Wednesday night.
The game showcased the remarkable power and skill of the Angels’ dynamic duo, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, who both hit home runs, marking their 26th simultaneous homer.
Rookie Zach Neto also made a significant impact with a three-run homer, securing the Angels’ fourth consecutive win.
Ohtani and Trout’s Power Display
Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout continued to amaze fans as they unleashed their power in the early innings. Ohtani, who leads the team with 12 homers this season, connected in the third inning with a massive shot off James Paxton.
Remarkably, Ohtani’s homer came from a pitch that was 3.74 feet above the ground, demonstrating his incredible strength and versatility. Trout followed suit in the fourth inning, launching a two-run homer off Nick Pivetta and equaling Ohtani’s season total with his fourth home run in just seven days. Trout’s 362nd career homer also saw him surpass the legendary Joe DiMaggio.
Neto’s Stellar Performance
Rookie Zach Neto showcased his potential and impact by contributing a three-run homer during the Angels’ four-run second inning. The 22-year-old shortstop has been steadily improving both offensively and defensively since his major league debut in Boston last month.
Neto’s outstanding performance included a double, marking his first three-hit game with the team. His contributions have solidified his position as a key player in the Angels’ lineup.
Pitching Triumph
Angels’ starter Tyler Anderson finally secured his first win in eight starts, delivering an impressive performance.
Anderson allowed only one run over six innings, yielding five hits and displaying improved command on the mound. The left-hander’s solid outing lowered his ERA to 3.14 in his last five starts, reflecting his recent positive form after a somewhat challenging start to his Angels career.
Conversely, Red Sox starter James Paxton struggled, lasting just three innings and giving up five runs along with four hits and three walks.
Red Sox’s Offensive Struggles
The Red Sox, who have now suffered their second four-game losing streak in as many weeks, faced difficulties generating runs against the Angels’ pitching.
Connor Wong provided a glimmer of hope for Boston with a solo home run, while Masataka Yoshida and Enrique Hernández also contributed with doubles.
Manager Alex Cora acknowledged that the team showed improved offensive approach, but ultimately, their four-run output during the four-game skid fell short.
Angels’ Redemption and Milestones
The victory had special significance for the Angels, who celebrated the one-year anniversary of their last victory before a franchise-record, 14-game losing streak in 2022. The team’s redemption was evident in their dominant sweep of the Red Sox, signifying a positive turnaround since last season’s turmoil.
Furthermore, Mike Trout’s career continued to reach new heights as he surpassed Joe DiMaggio with his 362nd home run, further solidifying his status as one of the game’s greats.
Looking Ahead
As the Angels revel in their four-game winning streak and newfound momentum, they will aim to maintain their winning ways in the coming matches.
The Red Sox, on the other hand, will regroup and seek to regain their winning form as they make adjustments to their pitching rotation, with Corey Kluber transitioning to the bullpen upon Garrett Whitlock’s impending return from injury.
