• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red Sox hope to avoid sweep at Angels

Aug 8, 2007 - 1:40 PM Boston (68-45) at LA Angels (66-46) 10:05 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim go for a sweep of the visiting Boston Red Sox when they conclude their three-game series on Monday.

The Angels gave the Red Sox a lesson in small-ball tactics on Tuesday en route to a 10-4 win, consistently taking the extra base and even pushing across a run on a squeeze bunt.

The loss leaves Boston just five games ahead of the New York Yankees (63-50) in the American League East, the closest the race has been since the Red Sox held a 5 1/2-game advantage on May 2.

Jon Lester (1-0, 5.09 ERA) will try to stop the losing for the Red Sox. The 23-year-old lefthander has been a feel-good story since he made his return to the major leagues on July 23 after recovering from lymphoma.

Lester won his first start, but has not factored in the decision in either of his past two outings, allowing four earned runs in each. He made two starts against Anaheim last season, going 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA.

The Angels will counter with rookie Dustin Moseley (4-1, 4.43). The 25-year-old righthander was moved back into the rotation on July 29 when Bartolo Colon went on the disabled list. He has not factored in two decisions since, allowing seven earned runs in 10 total innings.