All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 4-3 win over the Angels, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Martinez, Bogaerts shoulder the load: The Red Sox don't even want to think about where they would have been on this road trip without Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez. Together, they combined for 13 hits in the three-game series in Anaheim. Over the last five games, Bogaerts is hitting .435 (10-for-23) with four doubles, four homers and seven RBI with six runs scored. On Sunday, he knocked in the first run of the game with a single, then homered in the fourth as part or a three-hit, three RBI game. Meanwhile, J.D. Martinez hit .452 for the entire trip with six homers and 18 RBI and 11 runs scored in eight games. He had a solo homer and two walks on Sunday. Said his manager, Alex Cora: "He's back to attacking pitches he wants.'' Whatever it is, it's working and it's come at a critical time.
Bullpen newbies chip in: When the Red Sox added three pitchers from Pawtucket Sunday morning, it didn't figure that they would all figure in the day's win. But Travis Lakins, Ryan Weber and Hector Velazquez all chipped in when starter David Price was limited to just two innings in his return to the rotation. Usually, September callups are utilized in low-leverage spots, to save the bullpen regulars from having to work in games in which a team is either way ahead or way behind. But these aren't typical times. The Sox had gone to the bullpen for 19 innings in the previous two games and needed the new arrivals to contribute immediately. Lakins struggled a bit, giving up two runs in two innings, but Weber gave them two scoreless innings and Velazquez took care of the sixth. "It's a grind, '' acknowledged Alex Cora. "They did an outstanding job. It didn't look pretty, but we got it done.''
Price returns: Cora had been vague about what he was expecting in terms of length from David Price following a layoff of almost four weeks. Price tossed two scoreless innings and was lifted after 45 pitches, as the Sox were intent on bringing him along slowly, not pushing him too far as he returns from the IL. Price was able to locate his pitches well and wasn't hit hard, but his velocity was definitely down, with his fastball often limited to 90-91 mph. In all likelihood, Price would have been allowed to go deeper, but his inefficiency contributed to the shorter outing. "I didn't feel too comfortable pushing him,'' acknowledged Cora. "This is a guy we need for where we're going." Thanks to the off-day in the schedule, Price will get an extra day to recover before going again on Saturday against the Yankees, and the roster expansion that comes with Sept. 1 will help, giving the Sox more reliever options as Price builds arm strength.
TURNING POINT: In the seventh inning, with the Red Sox holding a 4-2 lead and Velazquez on, Mike Trout drew a leadoff walk. Brian Goodwin then laced a rocket that seemed headed for the right field line, but first baseman Sam Travis snared the ball, then stepped on the bag to double up Trout for a double play. So, instead of perhaps a run in and the potential tying run in scoring position, the Sox had two outs and nobody on base.
ONE UP:
Ryan Weber: Part of the group of callups as rosters expanded, Weber gave the Sox two innings of shutout ball, bridging the game from the early innings until the seventh when the Sox could turn to their high-leverage bullpen options.
ONE DOWN:
Sam Travis: Travis has been getting opportunities to start against lefties, but hasn't been able to do much with the chance. On Sunday, he hit into a double play, then fanned twice before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.
QUOTE OF NOTE:
"I think this win is the biggest one of the season, definitely of the road trip, after a tough game (Saturday) night. We bounced back.'' - Xander Bogaerts.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- After the Sox saw their homer streak come to an end at 19 straight Saturday night, they began another, with two homers, giving them homers in 20 of the last 21 games.
- The save for Brandon Workman was his 10th this season.
- The Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 road games.