With big 2nd, Angels rout Red Sox in Game 1
ANAHEIM -- The Angels erupted offensively in the first game of a split doubleheader Monday, cranking out seven runs in the second inning and cruising to an 11-1 victory over the Red Sox, their 10th win in their past 12 games.
Chris Iannetta, Daniel Robertson and Johnny Giavotella contributed back-to-back-to-back run-scoring hits, Kole Calhoun laced a two-run homer to right-center field -- his sixth in the past 11 games -- and Albert Pujols added a solo shot to chase Boston rookie lefty Eduardo Rodriguez after just 1 2/3 innings.
The Angels tacked on four more in the fourth, on an RBI single by Erick Aybar and a three-run homer to straightaway center field by David Freese, a ball that was projected by Statcast™ to land 451 feet away. That was more than enough for Hector Santiago, who gave up one run and struck out a career-high-tying 10 in five-plus innings, dropping his ERA to 2.30.
Video: BOS@LAA: Freese crushes a three-run shot to center
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Rapid fire: It took just five pitches for the Angels to turn a scoreless game into a 6-0 lead. And most encouraging of all, Mike Trout and Pujols had nothing to do with it. Instead, it was Iannetta's RBI single, Robertson's RBI double, Giavotella's two-run single and Calhoun's two-run homer. The Angels have turned it around in the batter's box lately, plating 80 runs over their past 12 games. They're finally getting some consistent production outside of Trout and Pujols.
"It was good to see the bottom of the order contribute with some big hits," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "They jumped on some first pitches and drove them and we put some runs up in a hurry."
Video: BOS@LAA: Calhoun cranks a two-run home run
Not so fast: The Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but Santiago struck out Ryan Hanigan and Mookie Betts to escape the jam and continue his surprising dominance with men on base. Opposing hitters are batting only .153 against Santiago with runners in scoring position this year. The 27-year-old left-hander needed 106 pitches to complete five innings, but gave up one run or fewer for the 12th time in 18 starts this season.
"That adrenaline with guys on base where you want to rear back and get some more -- I think the pressure of guys on base actually gets it to you," Santiago said. "You just get up for that situation." More >
Video: BOS@LAA: Santiago fans 10 in solid start
E-Rod struggles: Rodriguez was one of the best stories of the first half for the Red Sox. However, in his first start after the All-Star break, the left-hander ran into early trouble. Unable to make it through two innings, the rookie allowed seven runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings, marking the shortest outing of his young career. He came into the game 3-0 with a 0.69 ERA on the road.
"I missed my spots with the changeup and fastball. I didn't throw it where I wanted to," Rodriguez said. "It was all about the location, not the pitch itself."
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Pujols' second-inning solo homer was No. 547, one away from Mike Schmidt for 15th on the all-time list. It was also Pujols' 1,136th extra-base hit, tying Ty Cobb for 12th. Pujols and Trout each have 27 home runs entering Monday's nightcap. That had them tied with Giancarlo Stanton and Bryce Harper for the Major League lead and tied for the second-most in franchise history through 91 games. Troy Glaus had 28 in the first 91 games in 2000.
Video: BOS@LAA: Pujols launches a solo shot to left-center
MILESTONE MOMENT
Red Sox second baseman Deven Marrero collected his first Major League hit in the seventh inning after replacing Dustin Pedroia in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Marrero hit a line-drive single off the glove of Angels first baseman C.J. Cron.
Video: BOS@LAA: Marrero records first hit with liner
WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: The Red Sox look to salvage the nightcap of Monday's split doubleheader, with Steven Wright making his first start for the team since June 4. The knuckleballer's best start of the season came May 23 against the Angels, allowing two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings for the win. First pitch is slated for 10:05 p.m. ET.
Angels: In the twin-bill nightcap, Andrew Heaney will oppose Wright in hopes of making one last statement to remain in the rotation. The 24-year-old left-hander was initially called up to temporarily fill in for Jered Weaver, who's on the disabled list with left hip inflammation, and has gone 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA in four starts.
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