Richards spins two-hit shutout vs. Red Sox
ANAHEIM -- Kole Calhoun homered twice and Garrett Richards tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win over the Red Sox on a rainy Saturday night at Angel Stadium. The Halos moved to 10 games over .500, extending their lead in the American League West to 1 1/2 games over the Astros.
Boston right-hander Rick Porcello, who entered the contest with a 7.07 ERA in 12 career starts against the Angels, wasn't on top of his game, but he still held the Angels to three runs in his five innings. But the Red Sox were shut out for the second straight night. The last time Boston was shut out in back-to-back games was Aug. 7-8 in 2009, against the Yankees.
While turning in his first complete game of the season, Richards struck out six and walked one. In the first two games of the four-game set, the Angels' starters -- Richards and C.J. Wilson -- combined for 17 scoreless innings.
"I think that one of the best-kept secrets is really how our rotation's doing," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Our rotation has given us a chance to win the lion's share of starts we've had this year. The last couple of games are indicative of the way they threw in the first half."
Video: BOS@LAA: Calhoun talks two-homer game, gets drenched
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Kole's on fire: Calhoun had his first career multi-homer game, launching solo shots into the right-field stands off Porcello in the third and fifth innings. Calhoun is now 5-for-8 lifetime against the Red Sox's righty, and he's batting .324 (22-for-68) with six homers and 17 RBIs in his last 16 games.
"I don't know what the numbers are, but I've been swinging the bat well," Calhoun said. "I mean, this whole team's been playing well over the last 15-16 games. It's been a good month so far, and we've just got to keep it going." More >
Video: BOS@LAA: Calhoun belts two homers in Angels' win
Rocky Rick: Porcello's first start after the All-Star break mirrored his first-half struggles. Falling behind hitters early and often, the right-hander had shaky command the entire night. In the second inning, he allowed two walks and a wild pitch that allowed a run to score from third base as the Angels took a 1-0 lead before they recorded a hit. Porcello has now allowed 18 home runs on the season, fourth-most in the AL. More >
Video: BOS@LAA: Freese crosses the plate on a wild pitch
Anemic offense: The Red Sox's bats have been kept quiet through the first two games of the series. Boston squandered one of the few opportunities it had against Richards when Pablo Sandoval led off the fifth inning with a double down the left-field line. The next three hitters were mowed down in order. The Sox finished the night going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
"It's been happening a lot this year. We've been having those times where no matter what you do, it pretty much doesn't work out," Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz said. "We finished the first half good, so hopefully we can blame this on the four days off. We'll see how it goes."
Video: BOS@LAA: Panda smacks a ground-rule double to left
Richards saves the bullpen: Angels closer Huston Street was warming up in the bullpen before the ninth inning -- sitting on 299 career saves -- but he had also missed the team's last five games with a groin strain. Richards' gem gave him an extra day off.
"There's only so many times you're going to be able to use Joe [Smith, setup man] and use Huston," Scioscia said. "We've been using them pretty much every time we have a lead to hold a lead -- especially when we haven't been scoring runs. So for us to win a game without using those guys is important." More >
Video: BOS@LAA: Richards closes out complete game with K
SILVER LINING
Right-hander Justin Masterson, who was in the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation, allowed just one hit over three innings in his second relief outing of the season. In his first relief appearance, last Friday against the Yankees, Masterson threw a scoreless ninth inning.
"Tonight was very encouraging for him. Better stuff, more consistent late action to the two-pitch mix he has," Farrell said. "Tonight was better stuff all the way around. Better stuff, better late action. It was encouraging for him."
Video: BOS@LAA: Masterson tosses three scoreless frames
QUOTABLE
"Without being disrespectful, I guess you could say. I wanted the ball." -- Richards, on how he told Scioscia to let him pitch the ninth inning
WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez gets the call as the Red Sox continue their series against the Angels on Sunday. The rookie left-hander was one of the team's best stories of the first half, going 5-2 with a 3.59 ERA. In his last start, Rodriguez went 6 1/3 innings against the Yankees, allowing two runs on five hits for the win.
Angels: All-Star Hector Santiago takes the mound for the Angels. The left-hander, who didn't pitch in the Midsummer Classic, recorded a 2.33 ERA in the first half, good for third-lowest in the AL.
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