Red Sox Hammer Angels 9-5

Dustin Pedroia (2B) broke open a 1-1 game with a big hit in the 5th against the Angels on Monday night.

Boston – Don’t look now, but the Red Sox are starting to heat up. Dustin Pedroia (2B), Kevin Youkilis (3B), and David Ortiz (DH) all picked up 2 RBI in Boston’s 9-5 rout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday night. The win was their second straight and improved it improved their record to 13-15 on the year.

The key at-bat came from Pedroia when he broke open a 1-1 tie in the 5th inning. The Boston second baseman had a 13-pitch at-bat in which he fouled off 9 pitches against Angels starter Jered Weaver before lining a 2-run single to center. Weaver tried everything in the at-bat, changing speeds, and painting the corners of the plate, but Pedroia spoiled several pitches with his great plate coverage.

“I faced him a lot in college and the first few years in the big leagues and it doesn’t get any better than him,” Pedroia said. “I haven’t won too many of those, but it was nice to drive in a couple and kind of get things going.”

Boston starter Clay Buckholz scattered 2 runs and 8 hits in 6 2/3 innings of work and lowered his ERA to 4.81, but this was a much better performance after getting shelled by the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 in his last outing. Despite not having a good curveball, Buckholz was able to consistently get ahead of Angel hitters with his 4-seam fastball and changeup that had late movement.

But Buckholz gave credit for his victory to Pedroia.

”That was awesome,” Buchholz said. ”That was the turn of the game for sure. It just shows you what kind of player he is. He’s up there, he didn’t give in, fouled off some really good pitches from probably one of the best pitchers in the game right now.”

The Sox broke open a 3-2 game in the 7th inning with 6 runs, highlighted by an Adrian Gonzalez (1B) 3-run double to center scoring Pedroia, Jason Varitek (C), and Jacoby Ellsbury (CF).

Ortiz launched a 2-run homer into the Monster Seats in left in, capping the 6-run inning. After rounding the bases, Ortiz hugged a soldier dressed in fatigues chanting ‘U-S-A’. What a great time to be an American!

Carl Crawford (LF) continued his resurgence with another double and went 2-4 with a run scored for the night. Red Sox Nation-hang in there with Crawford. He’s beginning to do what he does best-get on base and score runs. You can see his confidence growing, especially after his walk-off hit against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Jacoby Ellsbury has picked up the slack for the Red Sox thus far. The Boston centerfielder went 2 for 4 again on Monday night, scoring 3 runs and stealing 2 bases. If Crawford continues to improve, look for Boston Manager Terry Francona to move him up in the lineup, setting the table for Youkilis, Gonzalez, and Ortiz. Have fun dealing with that lineup.

Boston is now 5-0 against the Angels this year and have won 14 of their last 15 against the Halos.

The Red Sox look to extend their winning streak to 3 on Tuesday night at Fenway. Ace Jon Lester (3-1) takes the hill for Boston against Angel right-hander Dan Haren.

Nathan Sumner is a Staff Writer for FanHuddle.com.

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Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Angels, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Clay Buckholz, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Red Sox