June 23, 2017

Hanley Ramirez and Sandy Leon each hit two-run homers, as the Red Sox crushed the Angels 9-4 on Friday night at Fenway Park.  The Red Sox honored legend David Ortiz before the game, retiring Big Papi’s number 34.

It was a rough night for Angel starter Alex Meyer (3-4), who took the loss.  Meyer lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on five hits.

The Angel bullpen didn’t fare much better.  Eduardo Paredes gave up two runs in a little more than two innings of work.  Jose Alvarez also gave up two runs.

Boston jumped in front 3-0 in the 1st inning, highlighted by a Xander Bogaerts RBI double,  Meyer uncorked a pair of wild pitches after that, allowing the Sox two add two more runs.

After Ramirez two-run blast in the 4th inning, the Red Sox had built a 5-1 lead.  Meyer was critical of his own performance afterward.

“It’s unacceptable,” he said.  “You can’t go out there and put two guys on basically before the game starts.”

After Leon made it 7-1, the Angels got three runs back in the 7th.  Martin Maldonado sparked the rally with an RBI triple, followed by RBI doubles from Cliff Pennington and Kole Calhoun.  That’s all the Halos would though.

Leon capped the scoring for the Sox with an RBI double in the 8th inning.  That was all Red Sox starter Rick Porcello needed.

Porcello (4-9) got the win and pitched 6 1/3 innings.  His final line was four runs on eight hits, while striking out eight.

The Angels and Red Sox will be back at it on Saturday night at Fenway.  JC Ramirez (6-5, 4.59 ERA) goes for the Halos.  David Price (2-1, 5.14 ERA) will be on the mound for Boston.