Angels at Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox finally received a strong start from their beleaguered rotation in the opener of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels to post just their second win in 11 games. However, a wrist injury to David Price will force the Red Sox to go with a fill-in starter in Friday night's matchup against the visiting Angels.
Boston managed only five hits in Thursday's 3-0 victory but got plenty of mileage from them as Sam Travis clubbed a two-run homer for the second time in his last two games. J.D. Martinez has hit safely in seven in a row and has four straight games with multiple hits for the Red Sox, who are 5 1/2 games out of the second wild card. Mike Trout had one of two hits for the skidding Angels and is batting .345 lifetime in 20 games at Fenway Park, the only American League venue in which he has yet to homer. Los Angeles is 0-6 on its road trip and has been outscored 47-16 during a season-worst seven game losing streak.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (4-5, 6.36 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-1, 6.88)
Barria lasted only 3 2/3 innings for the second time in four starts since the All-Star break last time out, allowing three runs and five hits while continuing to struggle with the long ball by serving up three home runs. The 23-year-old, who has yet to pitch beyond five innings in his 11 outings, has allowed at least one homer in seven straight appearances. Barria made his lone start against Boston last year, taking the loss after pitching 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball.
With scheduled starter Price going on the injured list Thursday due to a cyst in his left wrist, Johnson will make only his fourth start and ninth appearance of the season. He returned from an absence of six weeks but lasted only three innings against the New York Yankees on Saturday, allowing three runs and eight hits to take the loss. Johnson had his best -- and longest -- outing of the season on June 22 versus Toronto, giving up an unearned run in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers is hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
2. Angels LHP Andrew Heaney (shoulder) will come off the IL to start Saturday's game.
3. Boston recalled RHP Hector Velazquez from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Price's roster slot.