Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Victor Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four runs batted in, leading the Red Sox in an 11-6 slugfest win over the Angels to sweep a four-game series at Fenway Park.
Matsuzaka Shaky, But Offense Saves The Day As Red Sox Cap Off Four-Game Sweep Of Angels
Dustin Pedroia added two hits and three runs scored, while Jeremy Hermida drove in three runs for the Red Sox, who have swept a four-game set from the Angels in Boston only one other time -- during consecutive doubleheaders on August 19-20, 1967.
Darnell McDonald knocked in a pair of runs, while Adrian Beltre went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the win.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-1) lasted only 5 1/3 innings in his second start of the season but earned the win nonetheless, allowing five runs, five hits and three walks.
Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer for the Angels, who have lost seven straight games for the first time since September 30-October 7, 2001. Howie Kendrick added two hits and two RBI, while Bobby Abreu reached base in all five of his plate appearances via two hits and three walks.
Scott Kazmir (2-2) struggled with his command, giving up seven runs on six hits and five walks in just 4 1/3 frames to receive the loss.
Trailing by two entering the fifth, Boston scored five times to move in front for good and knock Kazmir out of the game.
Marco Scutaro singled leading off, and Pedroia doubled down the left field line. Both runners scored on Martinez's ground ball double down the right field line, tying the score at 4-4, and Kevin Youkilis drew a walk.
After retiring Mike Lowell, Kazmir walked J.D. Drew, prompting the Angels to insert Brian Stokes into the game to pitch. Stokes looked to avoid damage after striking out Beltre, but Hermida sent a seeing-eye single up the middle to score two more runs, and McDonald finished the big inning with an RBI double for a 7-4 contest.
Matsuzaka was knocked out the following inning when he gave up a one-out double to Juan Rivera. Napoli then made it a one-run game with a two-out, two- run homer off Manny Delcarmen.
Boston responded with four more runs in the home sixth to widen the gap. Stokes loaded the bases with one out and walked Drew on five pitches to force in a run and end his outing.
Matt Palmer came on to pitch, but Beltre plated a run with a base hit, and another run scored when Hermida reached on an error. McDonald's RBI fielder's choice groundout capped the frame with the Red Sox holding an 11-6 advantage.
Boston's Hideki Okajima stranded a pair of runners in a scoreless seventh, and Ramon Ramirez induced an inning-ending double play in the eighth to maintain the five-run lead; he stayed on to pitch a scoreless ninth and cement the win.
The Angels did not take a swing at any of Matsuzaka's first 14 pitches in the first inning, as Erick Aybar and Abreu both walked to open up the frame. Torii Hunter singled through the middle to plate Aybar, and Hideki Matsui walked two batters later to re-load the bases with one out.
Rivera sent a ground ball to the shortstop Scutaro, who was able to get the out at second but couldn’t complete the double play. A run scored on the play, and Kendrick followed with a two-run double off the wall in center for a 4-0 advantage.
Boston cut its deficit in half in the third on Martinez’s two-run blast, his second of the season, that scored Pedroia, who had walked.
The Angels have never lost eight straight since manager Mike Scioscia joined the team in 2000...The last Boston four-game sweep of Los Angeles occurred on June 12-15, 1980 in California...The Angels are 0-6 in May for the first time in team history. Their worst start for a single month is 0-10 in July, 1974...Matsuzaka has allowed 11 earned runs in 10 innings this season...The Angels are 12-18 after 30 games for the first time since 1994...Time of game: 3:43.
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