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Angels make three costly errors in loss to Red Sox

April 15, 2023

BOSTON — The Angels’ infield defense has been responsible for their last two losses.

Angels infielders made three errors leading to four runs in a sloppy 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.

“We just made uncharacteristic mistakes,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “And when you do that at this level, you’re gonna have the outcome we did. We’re better than that. We all know that. Mistakes happen. It’s one of those nights.”

It’s the second one of those nights this week. An error and two misplays that weren’t ruled errors contributed to four runs in their two-run loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

Although there was plenty of blame to go around in this one – from Patrick Sandoval’s control issues to the Angels’ 1-for-14 performance with runners in scoring position – the shabby infield defense was the biggest problem.

The Angels had a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, when shortstop Luis Rengifo bobbled a grounder up the middle, for the first error. That runner came around to score on a bloop double.

Two outs later, the Angels were about to get out of the inning on a routine grounder to third baseman Anthony Rendon. He had plenty of time to make the throw across the diamond, but the throw was wide and short, bouncing past first baseman Jake Lamb. The tying run scored on the play.

The Red Sox took the lead on a Rafael Devers homer against Jimmy Herget in the fifth, but another Rendon error cost them two more runs in the sixth.

With two outs and two on, Rendon again cleanly fielded a grounder and had ample time to throw, but he again threw the ball wide. A run scored on that play, and a second run scored on a passed ball.

“Didn’t have the best grip,” Rendon said. “Got to hit him in the chest. It’s not my day today. It’s definitely a frustrating night, especially after saving one in the hole.”

Rendon had actually made a spectacular play to help bail the Angels out in the third inning. With two runners on and two outs, he dove to his left to snag a grounder. He then make a one-bounce throw to second to get the inning-ending force.

By contrast, the plays in the fourth and sixth were routine.

“He just threw them wide,” Nevin said. “Not many guys I would want out there other than Anthony Rendon. He’s one of the best third baseman in this league. He made a couple of mistakes. It’s uncharacteristic. I’m not worried about it. He’ll be back out there tomorrow and every day that he’s able.”

Despite the sloppy defense, the Angels still could have won if a few other things had gone right.

Sandoval walked three hitters in 3-2/3 innings.

“I felt pretty good early on,” Sandoval said. “Later in the game just kind of lost feel for the zone a little bit. Got to make some better pitchers in some bigger moments of the game.”

Left-hander Aaron Loup hit two batters before Rendon’s error opened the door for both to score.

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Offensively, the Angels jumped to a 2-0 lead when Hunter Renfroe launched a two-run double off the Green Monster in the first inning.

That was their last hit with a runner in scoring position all night.

The Angels then left two runners in the third, two in the fourth and they hit into double plays in the fifth and sixth. In the seventh, they had runners at second and third with no outs, and managed just one run. They left two more in the eighth and one more in the ninth.

One of the missed opportunities included a missed sign. When Rengifo came to the plate with two on and none out in the sixth, he tried to lay down a bunt but fouled it off. With two strikes he hit into a double play.

Nevin said Rengifo was not supposed to bunt at all.

“Just a miscommunication on the sign, and it didn’t work out,” Nevin said. “I want him to swing the bat there. We don’t really bunt too often. A drag bunt might have worked, but I’m not going to have him square around twice.”

Orange County Register

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Angels make three costly errors in loss to Red Sox

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