Angels Break Late Tie with 4-Run Eighth to Defeat Red Sox 9-5

Zach Neto launched a leadoff home run, and rookie Christian Moore delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in a pivotal four-run eighth inning as the Los Angeles Angels pulled away from the Boston Red Sox for a 9-5 victory on Monday night.

LaMonte Wade Jr. started the rally with a single off Boston reliever Garret Whitlock (5-1), then advanced to second on a stolen base and took third on a throwing error by catcher Connor Wong. After Luis Rengifo walked, Moore lifted a sac fly to center to put the Angels ahead 6-5.

The inning continued with Neto’s third hit of the night, followed by an intentional walk to Mike Trout that loaded the bases. Taylor Ward drew a walk to force in another run, and Travis d’Arnaud capped the surge with a two-run single.

Reid Detmers kept the game tied in the seventh, stranding the bases loaded by striking out Roman Anthony and Trevor Story with 96-mph fastballs. Sam Bachman (1-0) tossed a perfect eighth to earn the win.

Closer Kenley Jansen exited after just four pitches in the ninth due to shoulder cramping, but said afterward he expects to be fine. Hector Neris finished off the game for the Angels.

Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but starter Walker Buehler gave it all back — and more — in a nightmarish bottom half. He walked four, hit two batters, and allowed five runs as Los Angeles took a 5-3 lead. Buehler finished with a career-high seven walks over four innings.

Trevor Story tied the game in the sixth with a solo homer off Ryan Zeferjahn.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora was ejected for a second straight game in the fifth after Boston ran into two outs on the bases. Jarren Duran was caught in a rundown between third and home, and Abraham Toro was thrown out trying to advance to second. Cora argued that Rengifo illegally blocked the bag with his knee.

Key Moment

Moore’s sac fly in the eighth gave the Angels the lead for good, setting off a four-run surge that broke a 5-5 tie.

Key Stat

Zach Neto now has six leadoff home runs in 2025 — just one shy of tying the franchise record set by Brian Downing in 1987.

Up Next

Boston sends lefty Garrett Crochet (7-4, 2.20 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night, while Los Angeles counters with Tyler Anderson (2-5, 4.56 ERA).