Boston Red Sox top the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on June 25, 2025, thanks to Trevor Story's clutch single and Richard Fitts' gutsy rookie start. Read how they did it.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a nail-biter on the West Coast, the Boston Red Sox clawed their way back to a .500 record, edging the Los Angeles Angels 2-1. The recipe was simple but effective: a clutch two-run single from Trevor Story in the very first inning and a gutsy performance from rookie spot-starter Richard Fitts, who proved the moment wasn't too big for him.
Richard Fitts worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first by striking out Jo Adell, setting the tone for a strong outing.
All the offense the Red Sox needed came before many fans had settled into their seats. In the top of the first, Trevor Story stepped up and delivered a sharp single to left, plating two runs and giving Boston an immediate 2-0 advantage. That single proved to be the game-winner, a testament to how crucial every at-bat is for this squad. The game was won early, and then it was a matter of holding on.
The real drama unfolded in the bottom of the first. Making a spot start, rookie Richard Fitts found himself in a bases-loaded, one-out jam. Instead of crumbling, he buckled down, fanning Jo Adell to escape the threat and preserve the lead. Fitts went on to pitch four impressive innings, allowing just one run while striking out six. It was a display of poise that showed he belongs, providing a much-needed quality start before handing the ball to a bullpen that locked down the win.
Fitts' performance isn't an anomaly; it's a reflection of the Red Sox's burgeoning farm system, which is quickly becoming an envy of the league. With recent graduates like Kristian Campbell and Carlos Narvaez already contributing, the pipeline is flowing. Fitts, alongside Hunter Dobbins, provides critical depth, while top prospects like Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony wait in the wings. Keep an eye on pitchers like Payton Tolle, Brandon Clarke, and Connelly Early, who are dominating in the minors and represent the next wave of talent.
This 2-1 victory brings the Sox back to 41-41, a critical reset for a team in the thick of a season-long grind. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective, showcasing a blueprint of strong young pitching and timely hitting. As the team looks to build momentum, performances like Fitts' are invaluable, not just for today's win, but as a sign that the future brewing in the farm system is ready to impact the present.
