Angels Vs. Red Sox Game Recap: Torii Hunter, Zack Greinke Lead Halos To 5-2 Win, Sweep

Torii Hunter had three hits for the second straight night, as the Los Angeles Angels were able to jump on the Boston Red Sox early and hold on for a 5-2 win to complete a three-game sweep in Anaheim and a season sweep of six games against Boston.

It is the first time the Angels have ever swept a season series against the Red Sox.

The two runs scored in the first inning was par for the course for the series, as the Angels scored eight runs in the first inning in three games. Manager Mike Scioscia likes it that way.

"We need to set the games up on our terms," he said. "We need to get some early runs and let our pitchers get into the game, get a feel for it."

The offense backed Zack Greinke, who pitched seven innings to win for the third time in his last four starts. Greinke allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven while walking two.

Second baseman Howie Kendrick left the game in the third inning with right knee soreness, and is listed as day-to-day. Kendrick said his knee buckled when he tried to put weight on it.

"It just kind of gave on me as I was walking off the field," he said. "But in the on-deck circle I couldn't put any pressure on it."

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Game Preview: Zack Greinke Eyes Series Sweep

The Los Angeles Angels have regained their winning ways, looking to bring out the brooms on the visiting Boston Red Sox on Thursday night at Angels Stadium.

Zack Greinke (11-5, 3.87 ERA) takes the bump for L.A., looking to keep the Sox in the cellar. He has pitched well against Boston, posting a 2.10 ERA in his last four starts against the Sox, though he hasn't faced Boston since 2010. Greinke pitched well in his last start, lasting 7.2 innings of one-run ball en route to a victory over the Tigers.

Boston will counter with Jon Lester (8-10, 4.98 ERA), who has a 2.25 ERA over his last three starts, all of them victories after going 0-5 with a 7.49 ERA in his previous seven.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT with coverage on Fox Sports West.

For more on the Angels, head over to Halos Heaven. For the Red Sox side of things, make your way over to Over the Monster.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Final Score: Halos Stomp Boston, 10-3

The Los Angeles Angels have had little trouble this season dealing with the Boston Red Sox. That trend continued on Wednesday night at the Big A as the Halos defeated the Sox by a final score of 10-3. C.J. Wilson was finally able to get more than enough run support to snap his winless streak, as he notched his 10th win of the season.

The Angels wasted no time in opening up a big lead in the bottom of the first inning. Torii Hunter hit an RBI double to score Mike Trout and Albert Pujols followed up with an RBI single. Kendrys Morales brought Pujols home with a two-run homer that made it 4-0 before the Red Sox could record an out.

Scott Podsednik got Boston on the board with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second, but the Halos got that run right back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from Hunter.

In the bottom of the third, the Angels plated another four runs on RBI doubles from Alberto Callaspo and Erick Aybar and a home run from Chris Iannetta, pushing the Los Angeles lead all the way out to 9-1.

Podsednik scored on a throwing error in the fifth and Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI single to bring the Red Sox to within six runs, but the Halos made it 10-3 with a run-scoring double play in the bottom of the inning.

The Angels picked up the series win with the victory, but will try for the sweep on Thursday before they hit the road again.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels vs. Red Sox Update: Halos Explode with 4 Runs in 1st Inning

The Los Angeles Angels exploded with four runs in the bottom of the first inning of Game 2 in a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox in Anaheim on Wednesday night.

The first run came from none other than Mike Trout, who crossed the plate on an RBI double by Torii Hunter. The double was the 399th of Hunter's career, and was followed by an Albert Pujols single to center field that scored Hunter.

To cap the scoring for the inning, Kendrys Morales, who got the start at first base, hit a two-run homer to right field off right-hander Zach Stewart to score Pujols.

Stewart is making his major-league debut against the Halos and is off to a rocky start.

Through two innings he's given up five runs and six hits, which included the home run to Morales. Angels starter C.J. Wilson has pitched well through three frames and has given up just two hits and one earned run off a sacrifice fly by Scott Podsednik.

For more on the Angels, visit Halos Heaven.

Angels vs. Red Sox Starting Lineups: Angels Go for 2nd Straight Win at Home

The Angels will try to build on the momentum from the 6-5 walk-off win in the series opener against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of a three-game matchup. C.J. Wilson, who has gone cold of late, will try to get his first victory since June 26.

The Angels will face right-hander Zack Sterwart, who will make his major league debut versus the Halos. Mike Trout, made history on Tuesday night by becoming the youngest player ever to hit 25 home runs and record 40 stolen bases in one season and will once again lead off for Los Angeles.

The full starting lineups for both teams are as follows:

Angels:

1. Mike Trout, CF

2. Torii Hunter, RF

3. Albert Pujols, DH

4. Kendrys Morales, 1B

5. Mark Trumbo, LF

6. Howie Kendrick, 2B

7. Alberto Callaspo, 3B

8. Erick Aybar, SS

9. Chris Iannetta, C

Starting Pitcher: C.J. Wilson

Red Sox:

1. Pedro Ciriaco, 3B

2. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

4. Cody Ross, RF

5. Ryan Lavarmway, C

6. Mauro Gomez, 1B

7. Mike Aviles, DH

8. Jose Iglesias, SS

9. Scott Podsednik, LF

Starting Pitcher: Zack Stewart

The first pitch is at 7:05 PT, and the game will be broadcast on Fox Sports West.

For more on the Angels, visit Halos Heaven.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Final Score: Halos Walk Off With 6-5 Win, Mike Trout Makes History

The Los Angeles Angels were hoping they could benefit from a return to Anaheim on Tuesday night, after a disappointing road trip. The Angels kicked off a three-game series at home against the Boston Red Sox with a big 6-5 win that required a ninth-inning, come-from behind rally for the walk-off victory.

Mike Trout got things started for the Angels right away as he led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to give the Halos a quick 1-0 lead. The home run was historic, as it was Trout's 25th of the season. With the solo shot, Trout becomes the youngest player ever to have 25 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. He is also the first rookie to ever achieve the feat.

Later in the first inning, Mark Trumbo hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Torii Hunter and make it 2-0 Angels. Jarrod Salatalamacchia cut the Halos lead to 2-1 with a solo homer off of Jered Weaver in the top of the second inning. The Red Sox took the lead with three quick runs in the fourth inning, with RBI singles from James Loney and Saltalamacchia and a third run scoring on a double play.

In the top of the sixth inning, Ryan Lavarnway hit a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2 Boston. The Angels got two runs back in the bottom of the sixth on the 29th homer of the year from Albert Pujols and an RBI double from Howie Kendrick, bringing Los Angeles back to within a run of the lead.

Trout was once again the hero in the bottom of the ninth. The rookie came up with two on and one out and hit a single to drive in Erick Aybar and tie the game, putting runners at first and third. Hunter then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Alberto Callaspo for the walk-off win.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels' 1B Prospect C.J. Cron Named California League Rookie Of The Year

The Los Angeles Angels have one of Minor League's more powerful hitters coming up in their system right now. Following a terrific year in High-A Ball, first baseman C.J. Cron was named the California League Rookie of the Year.

Cron, 22, was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2011 Draft out of the University of Utah. He hit .293 this season with an impressive .843 OPS. Cron led the league with 27 homers and 123 runs batted in.

"It's exciting to hear," said Inland Empire 66ers manager Bill Haselman upon hearing of Cron's Rookie Of The Year Award win. "He's the best power hitter in the league. Driving in tuns is the name of the game and Cron delivered all year long."

The slugging first baseman entered the season as the team's No. 3 overall prospect, according to FanGraphs. Given the graduation of Mike Trout to the big leagues and numerous top-prospects heading to Milwaukee in exchange for Zack Greinke, Cron could enter 2013 as the club's No. 1 prospect.

For more on the Angels, check out Halos Heaven.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Pregame Notes: Albert Pujols Back In Lineup After Missing 4 Games

The Los Angeles Angels return home for a brief three-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox, and they have a familiar face batting third. Albert Pujols is back in the lineup after missing four games with inflammation in his right calf.

Pujols still feels sore and will be able to bat, and is the designated hitter for the Halos on Tuesday. But as manager Mike Scioscia noted, just being able to swing the bat wasn't the only concern in letting Pujols play.

"Swinging the bat wasn't as much an issue over the weekend as it was what happened when he hit the ball," Scioscia said. "Albert is a little more comfortable, as our medical staff is, that he can put a little governor on and not be at risk running the bases."

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Batting three spot behind Pujols is Howie Kendrick, who has a 13-game hitting streak, the longest hitting streak by an Angel this season. Kendrick is hitting .353/.400/.608 with eight extra-base hits in 13 games during the streak.

"I think Howie has gotten into a comfort zone. In his last 40 or 50 at-bats, he's definitely found a great approach at the plate, seeing the ball and hitting it hard, and he's on a roll," Scioscia said.

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With the addition of Zack Greinke, Garrett Richards was bumped from the starting rotation, and was optioned to Triple A Salt Lake for three weeks. Since getting recalled last week Richards has been up and down in the bullpen in three games. He picked up a save on Friday in Detroit, getting the final two outs of the game, but has allowed runs in his other two outings.

But for a team fighting to make the postseason, Richards' role will be in the bullpen, and Scioscia feels the rookie has a chance to succeed in the later innings.

"There are big adjustments going from a starter to the bullpen. Garrett's got to make a quick study of it, and hopefully his arm will play in the bullpen to help us moving forward," Scioscia said. "I think he's got a power arm that can possibly play in the back end of the pen."

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels LHP Scott Downs On Family Medical Emergency List, Back Home In Kentucky

The Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday placed pitcher Scott Downs on the family medical emergency list before their game against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The relief pitcher went home to Lexington, Kentucky on Sunday night to tend to an undisclosed family issue.

By rule Downs will miss a minimum of three games, meaning he is unavailable for the entire series against Boston. Normally the maximum for the list is seven games but with roster limits expanding from 25 to 40 in September there is theoretically no limit on when Downs will return. Halos manager Mike Scioscia declined to discuss specifically why Downs left the team.

"Right now we're not sure but hopefully as time goes on we'll get a little more clarity as to Scott's situation," Scioscia said. "Scott will talk about it when he feels comfortable talking about it."

The Angels recalled outfielder Kole Calhoun to take the roster spot of Downs, leaving the team without a left-handed reliever in the bullpen. But Scioscia noted that with David Ortiz hurt and Adrian Gonzalez no longer on the Red Sox the need to matchup late in games isn't as pressing at least for this series.

"In a perfect world you would love to have that balance, to get some matchups and set some things up," Scioscia said. "But the bottom line is to having some arms down there that can hold the leads and get outs, and we're getting towards that state, even without Scott in our bullpen. We've got some guys who are throwing the ball much better."

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Starting Lineups: Albert Pujols Returns To Bat Third

The Angels will be getting one of their big bats back in the lineup Tuesday night against the Red Sox as Albert Pujols returns from a calf injury. The Los Angeles slugger had missed the previous four games after injuring his right calf while running the bases last Wednesday.

Jered Weaver will be glad to have Pujols back in the lineup, as he pursues his 17th win of the season. The Cy Young candidate is 16-3 with a 2.74 ERA.

The Red Sox will send Clay Buchholz to the mound. The right-hander is 11-4 with a 4.47 ERA. Buchholz's last start came against the Angels and he did not fare well, giving up seven earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched.

This will be the first of a three-game set for these two teams. Game time is 7:05 PT.

Red Sox
Scott Podsednik LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Ryan Lavarnway C
James Loney 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Ryan Kalish RF
Jose Iglesias SS
Pedro Ciriaco 3B
Clay Buchholz P

Angels
Mike Trout CF
Torii Hunter RF
Albert Pujols DH
Kendrys Morales 1B
Mark Trumbo LF
Howie Kendrick 2B
Cesar Izturis 3B
Erick Aybar SS
Chris Iannetta C
Jered Weaver P

Angels' Scott Downs Placed On Bereavement List, Per Report

The Los Angeles Angels will be without one of their key bullpen members for their series against the Boston Red Sox, as Scott Downs has been placed on the bereavement list per MLB Network.

That means Downs will miss a minimum and a maximum of seven games, which eliminates from from participating in the three-game series against the Red Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Downs is 1-1 with a 3.08 ERA in 44 games this season, with 25 strikeouts and 13 walks in 38 innings. He also has nine saves this year. Downs, 36, is in the second season of a three-year contract signed with the Halos before the 2011 season.

Since the All-Star break Downs has allowed 12 runs in eight innings, after giving up just two runs in 30 innings in the first half. But Downs hasn't been alone in second-half struggles, as the Angels bullpen has a 5.53 ERA in 42 games since the break.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Boston Red Sox, head on over to Over the Monster or stop by SB Nation Boston.

Angels Vs. Red Sox Series Preview: TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers & More

The Angels will be happy to return home. They host the Red Sox for a three-game series.