Angels edged Red Sox 7-6 on June 2, 2025, as Mike Trout starred & Boston's early deficit proved fatal. See how the Sox plan to fix their pitching woes now.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Monday, June 2nd, was a bitter pill to swallow for Red Sox Nation. A promising Fenway night turned sour almost immediately as the Los Angeles Angels ambushed Boston for six first-inning runs, ultimately holding on for a 7-6 victory despite a spirited late comeback attempt by the Sox. The loss triggered a flurry of roster moves, signaling a clear need for change on the mound.
Richard Fitts (0-3) allowed six runs in just one inning.
The game felt over before many fans had settled into their seats. The Angels exploded for six runs in the top of the first, with Mike Trout launching a three-run homer and Zach Neto and Jo Adell adding solo shots off a struggling Richard Fitts. Adell would later add another solo blast in the sixth. Despite the early onslaught, the Red Sox showed fight. Jarren Duran, snapping an 0-for-17 skid, collected three hits and sparked a four-run fifth inning to breathe life back into the 31,688 in attendance. Ceddanne Rafaela blasted his seventh homer of the season in the eighth to pull Boston within one, but the rally fell short. A critical moment came in the sixth when the Sox loaded the bases but couldn't push a run across. On the other side, Mike Trout's three hits moved him to second all-time in Angels franchise history with 1,675 career knocks.
The fallout from the loss and Fitts' disastrous outing was swift. The rookie starter was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to work on his command after allowing six runs in his single inning of work. The team also placed reliever Nick Burdi on the 15-day injured list with a right foot contusion, a tough break given his 0.48 ERA and four saves in 15 games at Worcester. To fill the gaps, the Red Sox recalled right-handed relievers Cooper Criswell, who has been stellar with a 1.40 ERA in Worcester, and Zack Kelly.
The most significant move, however, was the promotion of Hunter Dobbins to the starting rotation. The club's No. 13 prospect, Dobbins impressed in a recent relief outing and will now slot in as the fifth starter. It's a big opportunity for the young right-hander as Boston desperately seeks stability and consistency from its starting pitching.
Burdi's injury further stretches a bullpen that has been under pressure. His absence, coupled with Fitts' demotion, underscores the current pitching depth challenge. The team needs Criswell and Kelly to hit the ground running and for Dobbins to provide quality innings as the offense continues to search for consistent run production.
Amidst the gloom, there were a couple of bright spots. Jarren Duran's three-hit performance, including a double, was a welcome sight as he broke out of his slump. And down on the farm, top prospect Roman Anthony continued his tear, launching another leadoff home run for Triple-A Worcester, further cementing his status as MLB's top overall prospect. These individual successes offer a glimmer of hope for the future and much-needed positives on a tough day.
It was a Monday of highs and lows, a frustrating loss followed by a significant shake-up. The Red Sox will need Dobbins to step up, the bullpen to hold firm, and the offense to find more consistency as they navigate this challenging stretch. All eyes will be on how this revamped pitching staff performs in the coming days.
