Red Sox clean up defense in 7-2 win over Angels

BOSTON (AP) — Triston Casas hit a long, two-run homer in a four-run first inning and the Boston Red Sox solved their season-long defensive woes in a 7-2 win over the Los Angels Angeles on Saturday for their first home victory of the season.

Masataka Yoshida added two RBI singles for the Red Sox. They opened 0-4 at home while committing eight errors that led to nine unearned runs. For the season, they made 14, with 15 unearned.

But on Saturday, they were clean in the field, including a nice play up the middle by shortstop David Hamilton that led to a force out. The match ended in a nifty 6-4-3 double play.

Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer — the 8,999th in club history — for the Angels, who beat Boston 7-0 in the series opener Friday. Slugger Mike Trout went 0 for 4 with one strikeout.

Wearing their City Connect uniforms that pay homage to the Boston Marathon finish line colors with bright yellow jerseys and powder blue hats for the second straight game, the Red Sox took the lead with the first four runs against Griffin Canning (0-2).

Yoshida had an RBI single before Casas drilled an estimated 429 feet over the Angels bullpen, making the score 3-0. When he entered the dugout after trotting around the bases, someone put a BAA 5K medal around his neck. Red Sox manager Alex Cora ran the race in the morning.

Cora later said it was her medal.

“It actually surprised me. I didn’t know we had this,” Casas said. “I don’t know how long this will last. I don’t know if it’s just a two-day marathon or if we’ll continue. I’ll try to put it in at least (Sunday).

Casas felt it was one of the deepest balls he had hit.

“That was a big turning point for us,” Cora said.

Ceddanne Rafaela’s single made it 4-0 before adding two more runs in the second.

Greg Weissert (1-1) went two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts for the win.

Boston improved to 28-8 wearing the yellow and blue.

Looking to play better defense, the Red Sox took the field before batting practice approximately three hours before the game began.

Canning was tagged for seven runs – six earned – in four innings.

“When you put balls at home plate, they don’t miss,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Especially the one Casas hit. Before you knew it, we were down 4-0.

Recalled from Triple-A Worcester before the game, Boston starter Cooper Criswell allowed two runs in four innings.

“We played good defense behind him and he gave us enough,” Cora said.

TRAINERS ROOM

Red Sox: Third baseman Rafael Devers was out of the lineup for the third straight game and fifth this season because of left shoulder soreness. “I’m going to give it to him today, probably (Sunday),” Cora said. “I shoot for Monday, he shoots for (Sunday). We will have a debate on this. I just want to make sure he’s okay. He is too important to us. … Placed utility player Romy Gonzalez on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left wrist. … Enmanuel Valdez is out after injuring his left thumb when Los Angeles’ Miguel Sanó fell on him while making a tag at the end of a pick-off play near second base.

FOLLOWING

The teams close out the three-game series on Sunday. Tyler Anderson (2-0, 0.00 ERA) opts for the Angels against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello (1-1, 4.11). Anderson pitched seven innings in each of his first two starts.