The Boston Red Sox will attempt to end a three-game losing streak Tuesday when they face the Los Angeles Angels in the second contest of a three-game series in Anaheim, Calif.
Boston’s sloppy play this season continued Monday during Los Angeles’ 9-5 victory. The Red Sox made an error that put the go-ahead run on third base in the eighth inning. The Angels also worked 11 walks from Red Sox pitchers.
The Red Sox lead the major leagues with 69 errors in 80 games this season. Boston gave up eight unearned runs in a three-game series against San Francisco last weekend.
Boston also ran into a double play in the fifth inning on Monday. Jarren Duran attempted to take third on a ground ball to shortstop and was tagged out in a rundown, and then Abraham Toro was thrown out attempting to reach second base on the play. Boston manager Alex Cora was ejected by second base umpire Alan Porter for arguing the call.
“Our point of view is that he (Luis Rengifo) was blocking the bag at second,” Cora said. “I guess the ruling is that if he’s going to be out easy they can do that. We had a similar situation last year with the same crew, and it was (Minnesota’s Byron Buxton) at second base. Vaughn (Grissom) blocked the bag. He was called safe. (Twins manager Rocco Baldelli) argued and Alan reversed the call. That was my whole point.”
Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen left the game Monday after throwing four pitches in the ninth inning.
“Kenley Jansen had shoulder cramping and he should be fine,” Angels bench coach Ray Montgomery said after the game.
Jansen said he felt cramping in his pectoral muscle and his neck and expects to be available to pitch Tuesday. Jansen said he wanted to remain in the game Monday, but was told by pitching coach Barry Enright that “it’s June, and we want to be careful.”
Jansen, who pitched for Boston last year, has converted each of his 15 save situations this season.
Boston ace Garrett Crochet is expected to take the mound for Tuesday’s matchup. Crochet (7-4, 2.20 ERA) has a 4.15 ERA in three career games (4 1/3 innings) against the Angels. He did not factor in the decision in any of the three games.
Fellow left-hander Tyler Anderson (2-5, 4.56) is Los Angeles’ probable starting pitcher. Anderson is 1-1 with a 6.26 ERA in five career games (23 innings) against Boston.
Anderson allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings when the Angels beat the Red Sox 7-6 on June 2.
He got into a heated discussion with Boston first base coach Jose Flores prior to the finale of that three-game series. Anderson reportedly accused the Red Sox of stealing signs during his start. Other reports suggested that Anderson was tipping his pitches.
The Red Sox are 3-4 on their current nine-game road trip and are 1-3 against the Angels this season.
–Field Level Media
