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Matthews leads Angels past Red Sox

Apr 25, 2008 - 12:08 AM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox bullpen blew a strong performance by Justin Masterson in his major league debut.

Gary Matthews Jr. had three hits and singled home two runs to cap a four-run, seventh-inning rally as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim beat the Red Sox, 7-5, at Fenway Park on Thursday.

Mike Napoli homered and scored twice and Erick Aybar also scored two runs as the Angels took the rubber match of a three-game set. The Red Sox ended their homestand with a 5-2 mark.

"I really feel that when we have our team together, and right now we're seeing some thing coming together, our offensive lineup is very deep," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Masterson, called up from Class AA Portland to help the flu-infected Red Sox pitching staff, was in control through the first six innings.

"I really just put the team in an opportunity to win," Masterson said. "That's what the starting pitcher's role is."

Masterson allowed just two hits and one run with four walks and four strikeouts as the Red Sox had a 3-1 lead entering the seventh.

"Coming up, I was hoping to help out," Masterson said. "There are some unfortunate things that happened and we didn't get the victory today but I just wanted to go in and throw a lot of strikes. I did walk four people but other than those four walks, I thought I pounded the zone pretty good and was happy with that."

Masterson was optioned back to Portland following the game. Reliever Bryan Corey will have his contract purchased from Class AAA Pawtucket prior to Friday's game at Tampa Bay.

"He handled himself real well out there," Scioscia said of Masterson. "He's got a good arm. As the day went on, we had some better at-bats against him."

But the Angels rallied off three Red Sox relievers in the inning to take control of the game.

Neither Javier Lopez nor Manny Delcarmen could retire a batter in the seventh, as the Angels sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring four times to claim a 5-3 lead.

Matthews capped the outburst with a go-ahead two-run single to center off Hideki Okajima.

Lopez and Delcarmen (0-1) both allowed a hit and a walk while facing just two batters each. The three Red Sox relievers combined to throw 52 pitches in the inning.

"It got away in a hurry," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "We were trying to piece together the seventh so we can go to Oki and (Jonathan Papelbon) and it didn't work from the very beginning."

Matthews added an RBI double in the eighth and Maicer Izturis had a sacrifice fly in the ninth, which gave Anaheim a 7-3 bulge.

Scot Shields allowed a two-out, two-run homer to David Ortiz in the ninth but Francisco Rodriguez retired Manny Ramirez for the final out and his ninth save in 10 chances.

Angels starter Joe Saunders (4-0) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings, walking three and striking out three.

"It was awesome to be able to come back like that at Fenway Park," Saunders said. "It's a big confidence boost."

"Joe wasn't at his best but I think he got some key outs and minimized the damage," Scioscia added. "He wasn't in the zone early enough in counts and just a little off today. He kept us in the game and gave us a chance to do what we did."

Coco Crisp had an RBI groundout in the second and then had an RBI double in the fourth, playing in his first game since April 15 for the Red Sox.

Kevin Cash also had an RBI double in the fourth for Boston, which had a 3-0 lead after four innings.