Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) pitches during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Angels use pitching gem, home runs to sweep Red Sox

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 12:59 AM ET

After entering the season with little expectations, the Los Angeles Angels are still hanging around in late June. And on Wednesday, Los Angeles evened its record by completing a sweep of the Boston Red Sox.

Now 7-3 in its last 10 games, the Angels beat Boston, 5-2, to cap off the three-game series with their third win. It took back-to-back home runs and a 12-strikeout performance from starter Yusei Kikuchi for Los Angeles to get the win.

The Angels did all of their damage in the middle innings, first getting on the board in the fourth after giving up two quick runs to Boston in the first.

Center fielder Jo Adell hit a two-run homer to tie the game and catcher Travis d'Arnaud followed him on the next at-bat with a solo shot.

THAT'S MY JOAT pic.twitter.com/RSWjskRIiT
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 25, 2025

BACK-TO-BACK AND WE'RE ALL TIED UP ️ pic.twitter.com/V4g39wAvnG
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 25, 2025

Los Angeles would add two more in the fifth and one more in the sixth before holding on in the later innings, including d'Arnaud driving in another run with a double.

But despite the run-scoring extra-base hits, the MVP of the day was on the mound.

To go along with his 12 strikeouts, Kikuchi allowed only three hits and four total base runners in seven innings. He had, arguably, his best outing of the season, earning only his second win of the month.

エグすぎた！ pic.twitter.com/Yiuw1bBjxP
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 25, 2025

Still not yet back to form, three-time American League MVP Mike Trout went 1-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and an RBI. Eager to get back out to the outfield, Trout has been serving as the designated hitter since returning to action after an injury that led to him missing almost all of May.

He's now hitting just .229 with 12 home runs and 29 RBI in 54 games.

Much to the surprise of many, the Angels have been able to stay in the playoff race regardless of Trout's injury and subsequent struggles at the plate.

Trout and the Angels, now seven games behind the Astros in the American League West standings, stay home and welcome the Washington Nationals for an interleague series that goes through the weekend.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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