Reid Detmers matched a career high with 12 strikeouts and three relievers combined to throw three hitless innings, propelling the Los Angeles Angels to a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night in Anaheim, Calif.
Detmers (2-0) allowed one run on three hits and one walk in six innings while fanning 12 for the third time in his career.
Adam Cimber (seventh inning), Matt Moore (eighth) and Carlos Estevez (ninth) did the rest. Moore got help from center fielder Mike Trout, who made a running catch in front of the center field wall after a deep liner by Jarren Duran.
Estevez recorded his third save of the season.
Los Angeles got two hits apiece from Luis Rengifo and Zach Neto, who were instrumental during the Angels’ two-run sixth. It was Boston’s defense that really opened the door for Los Angeles, though.
Down 1-0 entering the inning, the Angels got an infield single with two outs from Rengifo, who then tried to steal second.
Rengifo was initially called out, but the Angels correctly challenged the call, and Rengifo ended up being safe.
Mickey Moniak walked and Neto hit an infield single, loading the bases for Anthony Rendon, who entered Saturday 1-for-23 (.043).
Rendon hit a chopper to third, but third baseman Rafael Devers was caught in between hops and was unable to field the ball cleanly. It went for an error, allowing both Rengifo and Moniak to score for a 2-1 lead.
The Red Sox took the lead against Detmers in the third after Connor Wong began the inning with a double. One out later, Duran drove in Wong with a base hit.
That would be the only run allowed by Detmers, who retired the last nine hitters he faced in order.
Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock held the Angels scoreless through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. The Angels put runners on first and second with one out, spelling the end of the night for Whitlock.
Greg Weissert (0-1) came in and got the second out of the inning when left fielder Duran made a diving catch on a liner by Trout, and he then got Taylor Ward to fly out.
Whitlock gave up four hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four.
–Field Level Media