Final: Angels 7, Red Sox 6 - Fitts allows 6 runs in 1st inning, Angels win first game of series

The Red Sox lose the first game of their series with the Los Angeles Angels 7-6.

In the beginning of the game, the Angels made history becoming the first road team to ever record three home runs in the 1st inning at Fenway Park as a road team. Starter Richard Fitts allowed a leadoff home run to Zach Neto to start the game, then a three-run home run to Mike Trout, and lastly a solo home run to Jo Adell giving the Angels a 6-0 lead before the Red Sox went up to bat.

After just one inning, Fitts was taken out for Hunter Dobbins who had to play the cleanup role in this game. To his credit, Dobbins played this role well as the Red Sox looked to dig themselves out of the massive six run hole.

In the 3rd inning, the Red Sox got on the board as Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers recorded back-to-back doubles which brought home Duran.

Then in the 5th, Rob Refsnyder picked up an RBI, and Carlos Narvaez recorded an RBI double cutting the lead in half at 6-3. The Angels took their starter Tyler Anderson out of the game following Narvaez's hit, and right after Romy Gonzalez brought the Red Sox within one run with a two-run RBI double.

However, that didn't last for long as Adell recorded his second home run of the game against Dobbins bringing the game at 7-5 in the next inning.

The Red Sox yet again brought it to a one score game with a solo home run by Ceddanne Rafala in the 8th inning, but Boston fell just short of completing an unlikely comeback. 

Former Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen came in for the 9th inning getting the save against his former club.

Considering the start of this game, it was impressive to see the Red Sox bring this to one run against a lefty starter. Duran went 3/5 at the plate, Gonzalez picked up two hits and two RBI's, and Abraham Toro had another solid game at the plate while also playing great defense at third base despite his error in the 1st inning. A huge credit to the bullpen for only allowing one run in seven innings too.

The Red Sox will play the next game of the series tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. with Bryan Bello on the mound.

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WHO: Red Sox (29-32) vs Angels (26-32)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (0-0), (0-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Richard Fitts (0-2, 2.70 ERA) vs. LHP Tyler Anderson (2-2, 3.39 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Rafael Devers (L) DH
Rob Refsnyder (R) RF
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Romy Gonzalez (R) 1B
Abraham Toro (S) 3B
Trevor Story (R) SS
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Kristian Campbell (R) 2B

SP Richard Fitts

ANGELS

Zach Neto (R) SS
Nolan Schanuel (L) 1B
Taylor Ward (R) LF
Jorge Soler (R) RF
Mike Trout (R) DH
Logan O'Hoppe (R) C
Jo Adell (R) CF
Luis Rengifo (S) 3B
Scott Kingery (R) 2B

SP Tyler Anderson

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox head back to Fenway Park wrapping up their road trip in Milwaukee and Atlanta. 

Romy Gonzalez is back from the 10 day IL and will start at first base. Abraham Toro will play third base. Marcelo Mayer will receive his first day off since his promotion.

David Ortiz on Rafael Devers: “He was a third baseman that was asked to be a DH. Now, all of a sudden, you want him to play first base,” Ortiz said. “I guess you have to give him some time for him to learn, if he wants to, because he’s doing great as a DH. I don’t want to mess that up.”

The Padres have interest in Jarren Duran, according to a report from Dennis Lin, Padres reporter for The Athletic.