If there were concerns about the Red Sox defense in the absence of Trevor Story, those concerns proved to be valid, unfortunately.
Initially, the team seemed determined to compensate for Story’s absence by showcasing strong defensive plays early in the game. Enmanuel Valdez and Jarren Duran made impressive diving stops to prevent runs in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively. Additionally, Triston Casas exhibited agility by making a leaping catch, and Connor Wong threw out a baserunner. However, the defense faltered in the sixth inning, with a series of shaky plays resulting in errors and ultimately giving the Angels a lead they maintained.
Adding to their woes, the Red Sox struggled offensively against Angels starter Reid Detmers, who recorded 12 strikeouts in six innings. Detmers stifled the Red Sox lineup, limiting their ability to generate solid contact. The lone run against Detmers was manufactured through small ball tactics.
On the pitching side, while Garrett Whitlock showed promise, he struggled with control issues and failed to pitch deep into the game.
Despite the loss, there were standout performances from Justin Slaten, who delivered a strong relief outing, and Connor Wong, who contributed offensively and defensively. Jarren Duran also made a positive offensive contribution, although he was caught stealing.
However, Pablo Reyes struggled at the plate, recording three strikeouts, while Triston Casas and Rafael Devers also had tough outings, with Casas striking out three times and Devers committing an error.
Overall, the Red Sox faced defensive and offensive challenges in their game against the Angels, highlighting the impact of Trevor Story’s absence on both aspects of the game.
