Mike Napoli’s Homers Propel Red Sox Past Angels
Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell shook up his lineup ahead of Saturday’s game with the Los Angeles Angels in an effort to spark a slumping offensive attack. First baseman Mike Napoli came up big, responding positively to his new position in the batting order.
Napoli, batting out of the sixth spot in the Red Sox lineup, smashed a pair of solo homers to deep left to help propel his team past the visiting Angels, 8-3. Xander Bogaerts was promoted to Napoli’s accustom five spot behind David Ortiz.
Knuckleballer Steven Wright started for the Red Sox and earned his second victory of the season. Wright tossed 6 1/3 innings if two-run baseball and struck out two. After allowing a pair of runs to the Angels in the first, Wright settled in nicely. He’s now 2-0 in his last two starts since being inserted into the starting rotation last week.
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Over his last six games, Napoli has raised his batting average by over 30 points from .162 to .193. He has now hit six homers in the month of May and has three in his last two games. Napoli hit just one in April.
Angels starter C.J. Wilson fell victim to Napoli who appears to be on the verge of a big-time tear. Wilson was tagged by Napoli for a solo shot in the second and then again in the sixth. Wilson allowed four earned runs on seven hits over the course of six innings of work.
Mookie Betts had himself a strong showing at the plate as well after being inserted into the game in place of, Shane Victorino,who was removed from the game due to a leg injury. Betts connected on RBI singles in the third and eighth inning.
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With the Red Sox on top 4-2 in the seventh, Bogaerts stepped to the plate in a key spot with two runners in scoring position. He singled home a pair of runners to give the Red Sox some much-needed insurance runs. Blake Swihart got in on the hit parade with an RBI of his own in the eighth.
Junichi Tazawa pitched the eighth for the Red Sox, allowing one run, before turning it over to Koji Uehara in the ninth. Pitching in a non-save situation, Uehara secured the win as the Red Sox improved their record to 20-23 on the season.
The Red Sox and Angels will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon from Fenway Park.