Masataka Yoshida hits 1 of 3 homers for the Red Sox, who beat Angels 5-4

By MAUREEN MULLEN
Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Masataka Yoshida hit his first homer of the season, one of three home runs by Boston on Sunday, and the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angeles 5-4.

The designated hitter Yoshida hit his off reliever José Suarez in the sixth inning and scored a runner. 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 of 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,” said Angels manager Ron Washington. “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.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: 1B Nolan Schanuel (testicular contusion) was out of the starting lineup but available off the bench. He left Saturday’s game in the bottom of the third inning after fouling off a pitch in the top of the inning. He is expected back in the lineup on Monday.

Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers was out of the starting lineup, the fourth straight game he has missed with a sore left shoulder. Manager Alex Cora said he thinks Devers will be back in the lineup on Monday. … INF Vaughn Grissom, out all season with a left hamstring strain, went 0 for 4 serving as the DH in a rehab game for Triple-A Worcester. … INF/OF Rob Refsnyder, out all season with a left toe fracture, went 1 for 3 playing right field in a rehab game for Triple-A Worcester.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP Patrick Sandoval (1-2, 6.57) is scheduled to open the four-game series at Tampa Bay on Monday. He took the loss in his last outing, April 9 against the Rays, giving up four runs in five innings. In seven career appearances (six starts) against Tampa Bay, he is 0-3 (3.69). The Rays have not yet announced a starter.

Red Sox: Boston hosts the Cleveland Guardians for a four-game series beginning Monday, the traditional morning game on Patriots’ Day, starting at 11:10 a.m. RHP Xzavion Curry is scheduled to make his season debut for the Guardians after being sidelined by a viral illness. The Red Sox have not yet announced a starting pitcher.

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