Turner helps fast-track win over slumping Angels
Former Dodger clubs two-run home run as Angels go quietly in less than two hours. Ohtani’s streak ends.
BOSTON 2, ANGELS 1
BOSTON — Garrett Whitlock threw seven innings of one-run ball and Justin Turner hit a two-run homer as the Boston Red Sox beat the Angels 2-1 on Sunday in a game that lasted slightly less than two hours.
Making his second start after opening the season on the injured list while recovering from offseason hip surgery, Whitlock (1-1) yielded three hits with five strikeouts and two walks. He’s the first Boston starter of the season to go more than six innings.
“I think the pitch clock is a really good thing,” Whitlock said. “I do like working fast. Earlier on in spring training I worked a little bit too quick, so now its finding that rhythm of working fast but also making sure I’m rested before each pitch.”
Angels star Shohei Ohtani had his 36-game onbase streak halted; it had been the longest active streak in the majors.
With regular closer Kenley Jansen unavailable after working the previous two games, Ryan Brasier got the final three outs for his first save. He struck out Mike Trout and got Ohtani to fly out to close the 1-hour 57minute game.
“It feels awesome. I love it,” Turner said of the quick game. “Don’t blink or you’re going to miss something, right? Again, a tip of the hat to Whit for going out and pounding the zone and working fast. Defense plays well when guys work fast and pound the zone.”
Reid Detmers (0-1) took the loss in an outing in which he gave up two runs and six hits, struck out seven and walked one in 61⁄3 innings.
“It was well pitched on both sides and they just got one more than we did,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said.
Wearing their yellow-and-powder-blue city connect jerseys with light blue hats and white pants, the Red Sox posted their third straight victory over the Angels.
After Brandon Drury’s RBI single gave the Angels the lead in the second, Turner sent Detmers’ 94.5-mph fastball into the last row of Green Monster seats in the third, scoring Alex Verdugo.
“That’s pretty much where I wanted it,” Detmers said of the pitch. “It could have been a little bit higher in the zone, but that’s pretty much where I wanted it. I felt like he was just cheating on a heater there.”
Tepera goes on IL
Angels right-hander Ryan Tepera was put on the 15-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation and right-hander Andrew Wantz was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake.
Tepera blew a save Saturday when he was charged with three runs and two hits in a 9-7 loss.
Etc.
A day after making his first major league start, 22year-old Angels shortstop Zach Neto was moved from eighth into the leadoff spot. He went 0 for 4 and still is searching for his first hit . ... Ohtani is scheduled to start on the mound Monday as the Angels try to avert a four-game sweep in the traditional Patriots’ Day game that runs in conjunction with the Boston Marathon. Ohtani worked seven scoreless innings to pick up the win Tuesday against Washington . ... Boston honored its 2013 World Series title team before the game, including new Hall of Famer David Ortiz, the 2013 World Series most valuable player . ... Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello is expected to come off the IL and make his season debut Monday.