After last night’s offensive free-for-all, you kind of thought that we might get a pitcher’s duel or something similar to that at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. And we got just that.
Jon Lester allowed one run over eight innings and Jeremy Hermida’s bases clearing double in the 8th spurred the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anheim in front of 37,411 at the Fens.
It’s the second straight win for the Red Sox over the Angels as they inch closer to .500 at 13-14. It’s the fifth straight loss for the Angels who fall to 12-16.
The Red Sox have one chance before Hermida’s big hit in the 8th to win it by it went by the wayside.
Kevin Jepsen had taken over for Ervin Santana in the 8th and started by walking Victor Martinez, who was then pinch-run for by Jonathan Van Every. Jepsen then walked Kevin Youkilis. J.D. Drew followed with a single to load up the bases to bring up David Ortiz. Neither manager made a move and it worked to the Angels advantage as on a 2-0 count, Big Papi grounded into a 4-2-3 double play.
Jepsen’s wildness continued though as he walked Adrian Beltre to reload the bases. This time though, Hermida came up with a big hit that cleared the bases to give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead. Mike Lowell pinch-hit for Darnell McDonald and delivered with a double to bring in Hermida and make it 5-1.
Lester started this one for the Red Sox and once again had another great outing. He had good life on his fastball and excellent command of all his pitches. He threw 120 pitches in eight innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon struck out two in the 9th.
Marco Scutaro led the Red Sox with three hits while Hermida had two hits with the three 3 RBIs. Drew also had two hits while VMart had a hit and drove in the first run of night on a groundout.
The Angels and Red Sox will be back at it again on Wednesday night when John Lackey and Joel Piñero will face off against their former clubs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @ Boston Red Sox 5.4.10 box score
