An announced crowd of 44,260 fans albeit a divided crowd were witness to a hitting explosion from Garret Anderson and the Angels. The Angels got to the Sox 23 year old starter Clay Buchholtz immediately pounding him early for three runs in the first. But if anyone thought that would be enough for the Angels they clearly haven’t seen the Red Sox in Anaheim before. Kevin Youkillis hit a two run homer in the second inning to bring them right back into the game, then in the top of fourth Manny Ramirez went yard and the game was tied and the crowd a buzz. As the announcers mentioned this game had a definite playoff feel to it. But unlike the specters of playoff matchups past the Angels had an answer for the Sox long game. In the bottom of the fourth Garret Anderson, who had a monster night 5 RBI’s, three singles, send the go ahead homer over the wall. With the lead in hand once again the Halos went about putting the game away. In the fifth inning the Angels sent Buchholz packing as they tagged on another four runs, followed up by three more in the sixth.

Given a second chance with the lead the Angels’ ace John Lackey didn’t disappoint, going seven innings surrendering only five hits with six strikeouts, including his career 1,000th strikeout. Terry Francona the Sox manager described Lackey as, “a tremendous pitcher.” The Angels Justin Speier and Darren O’Day each pitched a scoreless inning to round out the Angels 11-3 win over Boston, their third in four games against the defending World Series champions this season. With the win the Angels now have the best record and baseball and now sit seven games ahead of Oakland. As Lackey mentioned the Angels, “just have to keep handling our business.”

Their mission continues this afternoon as FOX’s Game of the Week features a tremendous pitching matchup between Joe Saunders and the Sox Josh Beckett. Beckett will make his first start this season against L.A. but he holds a 2-0 lifetime record against the club. On the other side Joe Saunders pitched the third game of the set these clubs played in Boston, a 7-5 Angels win.

12:55 PT Beckett (9-5, 3.94) @ Saunders (12-5, 3.07)

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