Reid Detmers pitches another gem in Angels’ shutout win over Red Sox
BOSTON — Reid Detmers gave up three hits over 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and Taylor Ward matched a season high with three RBIs to lead the Angels over the Boston Red Sox 7-0 on Friday night.
“He kept them off balance all night,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Another great outing. ... It seems like every time we’ve needed it, he’s stepped up. I couldn’t ask for more from him.”
The Angels sent seven batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring three runs (one earned) against Boston right-hander Tanner Houck (2-1), who had not given up a run in his two previous starts this season, spanning 12 innings. Houck matched a career high with seven runs given up (four earned) and a career-high 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
In his first comments since former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was charged, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says he’s “very grateful” for the investigation.
“Stuff-wise, I felt a little flat with everything,” Houck said. “Felt like it didn’t quite have the same bite as the last two outings.”
The left-handed Detmers (3-0) had a similar outing to his last — an April 6 win against Boston — when he gave up one run and three hits with a walk and 12 strikeouts in six innings. He had two walks Friday.
“I didn’t have my best stuff early,” Detmers said. “I was kind of just fighting myself a little bit. Worked in between innings, figured it out slowly and by the end of the game I felt like I had all my stuff back.”
Ward’s two-run homer with two outs in the sixth scored Mike Trout, who had singled, and ended Houck’s night with left-hander Brennan Bernardino replacing him.
Boston made three errors, matching a season high on April 5 against the Angels. The Red Sox are 0-4 at Fenway Park this season.
“Things didn’t work out for them on the defensive side, to our advantage,” Washington said.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said those mental mistakes really bothered him.
“Like, the physical ones, they’re part of it,” he said. “We will make mistakes, we will make errors. I made errors. I know how it works. It’s part of it. But, the other ones are the ones we have to eliminate, the mental ones.”
Celebrated Angel Rod Carew says the team owner and president have made it impossible for him to feel comfortable returning to Angel Stadium.
Injury update: Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson, out because of right shoulder inflammation, will start a rehabilitation assignment this weekend.
Up next: The Angels and Red Sox continue their three-game series Saturday. RHP Griffin Canning (0-1, 8.38 ERA) is scheduled to make his third start of the season. In his last outing, April 5 against the Red Sox, he took a no-decision, going 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs and five hits, including three homers, with three walks and four strikeouts as the Angels lost. Boston has not yet announced a starting pitcher.
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