The Boston Red Sox haven’t been more desperate for a win this season than they are Friday night.
Boston blew a lead in the bottom of the ninth inning early Friday morning east coast time, handing a 2-1 victory to the Los Angeles Angels to kick off their 11-game road trip and wasting a brilliant eight-inning shutout from David Price in the process. It was the team’s fourth loss in a row — marking the first time they’ve done that this season — and sixth loss in their last seven games.
Rick Porcello looks to continue his winning ways when he hits the mound for Boston, and he’ll oppose former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who has been nothing short of terrible for the Angels and has never defeated the Red Sox in limited action against the team. Porcello hasn’t taken a loss since mid-May, while Lincecum’s career ERA vs. the Red Sox is over 10.00.
Here are Friday’s lineups for both squads:
RED SOX (55-45)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Aaron Hill, 3B
Ryan Hanigan, C
Brock Holt, LF
Rick Porcello, RHP (13-2, 3.57 ERA)
ANGELS (46-56)
Yunel Escobar, 3B
Kole Calhoun, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Albert Pujols, DH
Daniel Nava, LF
Andrelton Simmons, SS
Ji-Man Choi, 1B
Carlos Perez, C
Gregorio Petit, 2B
Tim Lincecum (2-4, 8.70)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images