BOSTON—Masataka Yoshida hit his first home run of the season, one of three homers by Boston on Sunday, April 14, and the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 5–4 at Fenway Park.
Yoshida, the designated hitter, hit a two-run shot off reliever José Suarez in the sixth inning. Tyler O’Neill and Triston Casas hit back-to-back, two-out homers in the first off left-hander Tyler Anderson (2–1).
“The pitch count was up, and we took advantage of Suarez out there with Masa,” Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said. “It was a good one, good game plan.”
After going seven scoreless innings in each of his first two starts, Anderson went 4 1/3, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks (one intentional), with four strikeouts.
“I couldn’t land good pitches, and they did a good job on a couple of mistakes in the middle,” Anderson said. “They put really good swings on.”
Brandon Drury cut the deficit with a solo shot in the second, his first home run of the season, off Boston starter Brayan Bello (2–1), who went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts.
“This season is still young,” Bello said through a team interpreter. “I’m going to keep working to go deeper into games. My goal is to go seven innings.”
Kenley Jansen got his fourth save of the season, giving him 424 for his career. That’s tied with John Franco for fifth most in major-league history.
Jansen had a shaky ninth inning, allowing his first three batters to reach base. He gave up a run on Anthony Rendon’s sacrifice fly before striking out Luis Rengifo and Mike Trout to end the game.
“We did better today,” Angels Manager Ron Washington said. “All we need is a hit here and a hit there, and it could have made the difference. Pretty soon, I’m hoping that things work out in our favor.”
Rendon had two hits. After starting the season 0 for 21, he has gone 12 for 29, batting .414 since.
