ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adam Ottavino started the ninth inning with a two-run lead and five Angels hitters between him and Shohei Ohtani.
“I was trying to avoid ever getting to that point,” the Boston reliever said. “I had it in the back of my mind, ‘Don’t let Ohtani come up.’ But of course it happens.”
Indeed, the major league homers leader came up with two Angels on base, two outs and just a one-run deficit — and he smashed a grounder into right field.
But with their final big defensive play in a game full of brilliant moments, the Red Sox hung on.