09:13pm EDT, 08/27/08
WBZ Sports
Casey Kotchman's 2-run double in 8th put Angels on top

Posted: Monday, 21 July 2008 5:58AM

Red Sox Swept by Angels in Anaheim, 5-3

Anaheim, CA (AP)  -- Considering how well they're playing, the Los Angeles Angels would love to start the postseason right now.

But that's not the way it works, so they're doing their best to stay in the moment.

Casey Kotchman hit a two-run double to cap a three-run rally in the eighth inning, Francisco Rodriguez became the fastest pitcher to 40 saves in big league history, and the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3 Sunday for their fifth straight victory.

With another late comeback, the Angels completed their first three-game sweep of Boston in seven years. They scored four runs in the seventh Saturday for a 4-2 win.

"We've got a long road ahead of us," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We played well this weekend, (but) I don't see any carry-over. The season's more than this weekend. We have to keep going."

Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter homered on consecutive pitches for the Angels, who became the first team in the majors to reach 60 wins. The victory was their fifth in six meetings with Boston, enabling them to clinch their first season series against the Red Sox since 2001.

The AL West leaders, 39-18 against teams with winning records, are a season-high 22 games over .500 and lead second-place Oakland by nine games. None of the other five division leaders has more than a two-game cushion.

"It feels good, but there's a lot of baseball left," said Howie Kendrick, who doubled home the tying run. "Anytime you beat these guys, it's a big deal. We're just happy to come out with a couple wins and keep rolling."

The Red Sox held a 3-2 lead and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (6-7) had retired 17 of 19 batters before Juan Rivera and Kendrick hit back-to-back doubles to start the eighth and tie the score.

Manny Delcarmen relieved and Jeff Mathis sacrificed Kendrick to third before Chone Figgins drew a walk. Kotchman followed by lining a 1-1 off-speed pitch into the right-field corner to drive in Kendrick and Figgins.

"I was just trying to see the ball and hit it, hope it finds a hole, and it did," Kotchman said. "I'm trying not to hit into a double play, I'm aware of that. I was just trying not to hit it on the ground."

Darren Oliver (3-1) fanned three in 1 1-3 hitless innings to earn the victory, and Rodriguez struck out the side in the ninth for his major league-leading 40th save in 43 chances. He reached 40 saves in 98 games -- 10 faster than John Smoltz did so five years ago.

"To get to 40 at this time is unbelievable," Rodriguez said. "Last year, I got to 40 in the last game of the season."

The Angels hadn't swept a three-game series from Boston since 2001, and hadn't done it at home in 10 years. They've also lost nine straight playoff games to the Red Sox, including first-round sweeps in 2004 and last year.

"The reason we didn't have success against them in the past is we didn't get the clutch hit," Rodriguez said. "This series, everything came around pretty good."

Sean Casey was one of Rodriguez's strikeout victims in the ninth, fanning as a pinch hitter.

"The guy's one of the best in the game," Casey said. "He's got four above-average pitches and he throws everything for strikes, so he's a good weapon for those guys. His curveball's tight, his slider's tight, and he's got a good changeup and a good fastball."

The Red Sox lost for the 10th time in 12 road games and remained 1 1/2 games behind AL East-leading Tampa Bay.

"We had a lead and didn't hold it," manager Terry Francona said. "Those are the types of games you've got to win."

The Angels took a 2-0 lead in the second on homers by Guerrero and Hunter. They also went deep on back-to-back pitches July 7 against Texas' Luis Mendoza in the second inning of a 9-6 win.

The Red Sox tied it in the third on a two-out RBI double by Manny Ramirez and a run-scoring single by Mike Lowell.

Angels starter Jon Garland retired 10 of 11 batters before Coco Crisp drew a one-out walk in the seventh. Crisp stole second as Kevin Cash struck out and scored when Guerrero dropped Jacoby Ellsbury's liner to right for an error.

Wakefield allowed six hits and four runs with no walks in seven-plus innings.

"Early on he left two pitches up to Vlad and Torii Hunter and they hit them a long way," Francona said. "Other than that, he was tremendous -- just like he's been every time out. We sent him back out in the eighth, then there's two quick hits and all of a sudden the game's completely turned around."

Garland gave up six hits and three runs, two earned, in 6 2-3 innings. The Red Sox had only one hit after Lowell's RBI single.

Notes:@ The Red Sox placed RHP David Aardsma on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right groin and recalled RHP Justin Masterson from Triple-A Pawtucket to replace him in the bullpen. ... Scioscia said the team was discussing its options for OF Gary Matthews Jr., who has a small tear in the patella tendon of his left knee.

 


2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Print Page Email This Page
 
 
More WBZ Sports Stories
Sox Leave Yanks in Wake
Patriots Get to 75 Player Limit
Ventrone's Versatility Vital to Villanova Product
Brady Ready and Willing
End Game in Babe's House
Red Sox Fly Off with Win
Beckett: No, No New York
Jays Fly Away with Laugher
Byrd Beats Blue Jays, 8-4
Pats Flat Against Philly
Patriots Add to O-Line
Colon Rehab Start Promising
Bruins Sign St. Pierre and Thompson
Bruins 2008-09 Schedule
Bruins to Start on Thin Ice
Sports Notes
Bruins Get Offensive in Draft
No Ordinary Joe
Pats Avoid Philly Stake
Red Sox, Mike Lowell Agree to 3-Year Deal
 
CineSport 5.16.08 - Flyers Beat Penguins to Avoid Sweep; sports news highlights; CineSport Takes a Look at the Top Plays From the Week.; CineSport 5.15.08 - Orioles Sweep Two Game Series and Red Wings Head Home Up 3-1; sports news highlights; Your Sports. Online. On demand.; sports news highlights; CineSport Boston Sports Video News and Highlights
Bruins News
Bruins Sign St. Pierre and Thompson
The Boston Bruins have signed forwards Martin St. Pierre and Nate Thompson, terms of which were not disclosed by the club.
The Bruins secured St. Pierre’s rights from the Chicago Blackhawks on July 24, 2008 when Boston sent Pascal Pelletier to the Windy City.
Bruins Promote 3 Internally
From the Boston Bruins Media Relations Department:

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli has announced the club has promoted Scott Bradley to Director of Player Personnel, Wayne Smith to Director of Amateur Scouting and John Weisbrod to Director of Collegiate Scouting.
As Director of Player Personnel, Bradley will have an expanded role that will see him scout both the professional and
Bruins 2008-09 Regular Season Schedule

The Boston Bruins open the 2008-09 season with four road games- the first in Colorado on October 9 - before getting their home season underway on October 20 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bruins Pre-Season Slate
The Bruins take on the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings on September 25th in Halifax, Nova Scotia, then again the next night in Detroit. Training camp starts September 19th.
Bruins Will be Sky High for Season Opener
The Boston Bruins will begin the 2008-09 NHL season on the road with a four city excursion before gracing home ice at the T.D. Banknorth Garden.
The Bruins will begin the new campaign in Colorado on Thursday, October 9, at 10 p.m. ET.
Archive
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
2008 8 27 Gil Santos Commentary
Gil has some more to say about the controversy about the 9-year old pitcher in Connecticut who's 'too good' to play.
2008 08 26 Red Sox 7 NYY 3 Postgame: Tim Wakefield
Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 7-3 win against the Yankees in New York.
2008 08 26 Red Sox 7 NYY 3 Postgame: Justin Masterson
Red Sox relief pitcher Justin Masterson with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 7-3 win against the Yankees in New York.
2008 08 26 Red Sox 7 NYY 3 Postgame: Kevin Cash
Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 7-3 win against the Yankees in New York.
2008 08 26 Red Sox 7 NYY 3 Postgame: Terry Francona
Red Sox manager Terry Francona with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 7-3 win against the Yankees in New York.
2008 8 26 Gil Santos Commentary
Gil shares his thoughts on two very different stories about youth baseball.
2008 8 25 Gil Santos Commentary
Gil tells us his thoughts about the end of the 2008 Summer Games.
2008 08 24 Red Sox 6 Toronto 5 Postgame: Jason Varitek
Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 6-5, 11-inning win over the Blue Jays in Toronto.
2008 08 24 Red Sox 6 Toronto 5 Postgame: Dustin Pedroia
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 6-5, 11-inning win over the Blue Jays in Toronto.
2008 08 24 Red Sox 6 Toronto 5 Postgame: Jed Lowrie
Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie with WBZ's Jon Miller following the team's 6-5, 11-inning win over the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Search:        
  # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P |