The Sox wasted no time getting to Santiago in the top of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts launched the third pitch of the game out of the yard for his 21st home run of the season. Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts worked back to back walks but Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three. Hanley Ramirez got a base hit to left to score Pedroia with another run. Aaron Hill popped up to second but Travis Shaw walked to load the bases. Bryce Brentz took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.
The Angels answered against Pomeranz in the bottom of the first as Yunel Escobar grounded out to third to start. Mike Trout singled to left and Albert Pujols singled to center before both men moved over on a wild pitch. Jefry Marte grounded out to second to score Trout. Andrelton Simmons flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels down 2-1.
Trout scores a run
Angels get another run
Sandy Leon took strike three to start the top of the second before Mr. Mookie grounded out to third. Pedroia lined out to right to end the inning. Jeff Bandy popped up to third to start the bottom of the second and Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging. Gregorio Petit also went down hacking to end the inning.
The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Bogaerts blooped a base hit to left to begin. JBJ walked but Ramirez struck out swinging. Hill flied out to center but a wild pitch moved both runners over. Shaw walked to load the bases but Brentz took strike three to end the inning. The Angels took command in the bottom of the third as Shane Robinson grounded back to the mound to start. Escobar walked but Trout struck out swinging. Pujols then hit a home run all the way to Yellowstone to put LA up for good. Marte lined out to left to end the inning with the Angels up 3-2.
Angels take the lead
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Leon got a base hit to center. Mr. Mookie forced Leon at second but Pedroia walked. Bogaerts struck out swinging and JBJ flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Simmons doubled into the left field corner to start. Bandy lined out to left to move Simmons to third and Giavotella drilled a base hit to left to score Simmons. Petit ate up Bogaerts on a grounder to short for a "single" but Robinson grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Angels up 4-2.
Ramirez flied out to right to start the top of the fifth and Hill did the same. Shaw was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning. Escobar popped up to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Trout grounded out to second. Pujols lined out to center to end the inning.
Fernando Salas came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Brentz. Holt grounded out to short and Leon struck out swinging. Mr. Mookie and Pedroia both walked to chase Salas. Joe Smith came in to face Bogaerts and Xander grounded forced Betts at third to end the inning. The Angels finished off Pomeranz in the bottom of the sixth although Marte struck out swinging to start. Simmons walked and that was it for Pomeranz. He lasted just 5 1/3 innings and gave up 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. Joe Kelly came in and Bandy doubled to left to score Simmons. Giavotella grounded out to second to move Bandy to third but Petit walked. Robinson lined out to left to end the inning with the Angels ahead 5-2.
Drew was a dud tonight
JBJ lined out to left to start the top of the seventh and Ramirez took strike three. Hill grounded out to third to end the inning. Escobar grounded out to short to start the bottom of the seventh but Trout walked. Pujols grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Kole Calhoun came in for Giavotella with Cam Bedrosian now on the mound for the top of the eighth. Shaw struck out swinging to start and Holt also went down hacking. Leon got a base hit to right but Mr. Mookie struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox had left 11 men on base in this one. Marte got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Simmons took strike three. Bandy lined out to center but Sox manager John Farrell wanted Tommy Layne to face Calhoun. Kole struck out swinging to end the inning.
Huston Street came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Pedroia grounded out to first to start. Bogaerts popped up to second and JBJ took strike three to end the game. The Angels had won 5-2.
Angels win
Jackass Pomeranz
Jackass of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He allowed 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings on 6 hit and 2 walks to take the loss.
The Good:
Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.
Travis Shaw walked twice in four plate appearances.
Sandy Leon was 2 for 4.
Tommy Layne got the final out of the eighth inning.
The Bad:
Aaron Hill was 0 for 4.
Bryce Brentz was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.
Brock Holt was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and hit a home run.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.
Joe Kelly allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2 1/3 innings.
Final Thoughts:
Once again the Sox are sputtering due to a lack of offense that shouldn't be happening. Not that Pomeranz gave them much by allowing 5 runs in just over 5 innings, but leaving 11 men on base was inexcusable. One three run home run or two run double and the game turns out completely different. Its shocking how bad things have gone lately for an offense that's supposed to be this good. The sad part is the Sox have lost 7 of their last 9 and are still within striking distance in the AL East because neither the Toronto Blue Jays nor Baltimore Orioles have gone on a tear. If the Sox can survive this god-awful stretch and get back to mashing the ball, they have as good as chance as any. The trade deadline is Monday so it'll be interesting to see if they make any further moves besides Aaron Hill, Drew Pomeranz and Brad Ziegler. The loss dropped the Sox to 56-46, 2 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to salvage the series tomorrow afternoon against the Angels when Steven Wright takes on Tyler Skaggs of Los Angeles. The game begins at 3:30 PM at Angel Stadium.
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