Late Error Lifts Angels Over Red Sox in Series Opener

Aug 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Chris Iannetta (17) safely slides into home plate past Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (55) during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Boston left 12 men in scoring position, C.J. Wilson earned his 10^th win, and Mike Trout notched his first multi-hit game since August 9 as the Angels edged the Red Sox 4-2 Monday night.

Trout carried a 1-for-19 slump into a four-game series opener at Fenway Park. In the third, Kole Calhoun walked with two-out before Trout notched his team-leading 34^th double and 87^th RBI of the season. The center fielder’s double was his first extra-base hit since August 10.

Albert Pujols’ sharp single off Boston right-hander Brandon Workman scored Trout and gave the Angels an early 2-0 lead.

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Workman (1-7), who served up Pujols game-winning 19^th-inning home run during the Angels’ last homestand, tossed seven solid inning yielding two runs on six hits. He would only three runners to reach following the first baseman’s RBI.

Wilson (10-8) pitched in and out of trouble through 5 1/3 innings in becoming the fourth Halo to earn double digit victories. Red Sox hitters couldn’t capitalize on five hits and five walks-each coming in the first four innings- until Brock Holt’s blooper in the fourth scored Mookie Betts.

For the third time in his last five outings, Wilson could neither reach 80 pitches nor walk fewer than three batters. The left-hander’s pitch count reached 60 before the third inning was over, prompting manager Mike Scioscia to rely on his depleted bullpen.

“Having Mike (Morin) and Fernando (Salas) and Jason (Grilli) and Kevin (Jepsen) get it done, those guys have all been throwing the ball well,” Scioscia said in a post-game interview that aired on Fox Sports West. “With Joe (Smith) and Huston (Street) down, that’s where the depth shows up on a night like tonight.”

Mike Morin replaced Wilson with one-on and one-out. He subsequently loaded the bases before forcing Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia to ground into an inning-ending double play. Boston wouldn’t threaten again until Yoenis Cespedes’ RBI groundout in the ninth.

In the eight, righty Junichi Tazawa walked Chris Iannetta on 11 pitches and left a fastball over the plate for Calhoun who laced it to right for a double. With the bases loaded, Tazawa got Howie Kendrick to muff a hit right at him, only he couldn’t field it cleanly. The pitcher’s throw home sailed to the left of the catcher scoring both Iannetta and Calhoun.

Kevin Jepsen closed out the game because set up man Joe Smith and closer Huston Street each appeared in the previous three games. He allowed a run but managed to pick up his first save of the season.

The Angels claim sole possession of first place for the first time since May 15, 2011. Their fifth win over the last six games gives the Halos a half-game lead over Oakland for the league’s best record.