Taylor Ward's 19th homer wasn't enough as the Angels fell 4-2 to the Red Sox on June 24. Despite a solid start from Tyler Anderson, the bats went quiet.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'so close, yet so far' kind of night at Angel Stadium. Despite another powerful display from Taylor Ward, the Angels couldn't string together enough offense, falling 4-2 to the visiting Boston Red Sox in the series opener. The loss drops the Halos to four games below .500, leaving fans wondering where the next spark will come from.
We battled, but couldn't get the big hit late. Taylor [Ward] continues to show his power and consistency in the middle of our lineup.
Starter Tyler Anderson put in a workmanlike performance, going 6.1 innings and keeping the Angels in the game despite allowing three runs. He battled, limiting the damage against a pesky Red Sox lineup led by Jarren Duran's three-hit night. But the Angels' bats were mostly silent. Outside of Ward's two-run blast, the offense couldn't solve Boston's pitching, and former Dodger Kenley Jansen shut the door in the ninth for his 18th save, sealing the Halos' fate.
The brightest spot in a frustrating game was, once again, Taylor Ward. His 19th home run of the season was a no-doubter that accounted for all of the Angels' scoring. Ward is quietly putting together a monster season, now leading the team with 19 homers and 52 RBIs. He's on pace to shatter his previous career highs, providing a consistent and powerful presence in the middle of the order that the team desperately needs.
The Angels' offensive struggles are compounded by the absence of Jorge Soler, who remains on the injured list with a hamstring strain. His power bat is sorely missed. In his place, Gustavo Campero was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake and saw action as a defensive replacement. Down on the farm, there were promising signs despite a 5-4 loss for the Salt Lake Bees. Catcher Edgar Quero blasted his 11th homer of the year, while speedster Nelson Rada nabbed his 30th stolen base, offering a glimpse of the future talent pipeline.
While the loss stings, the season is a marathon, not a sprint. The Angels will need to find contributions from up and down the lineup to support the stellar efforts of Taylor Ward and the starting rotation. With two more games against Boston, there's an immediate chance to right the ship and reclaim the series. All eyes will be on who steps up tomorrow to prevent another frustrating defeat.
