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Angels’ Hector Santiago is solid, but the Boston Red Sox win, 6-1

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago throws during the first inning of a game Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago throws during the first inning of a game Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

(Michael Dwyer / Associated Press)
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KEY MOMENT: The game was within reach in the eighth inning, the Angels trailing, 3-1, when reliever Cam Bedrosian jumped ahead of Mike Napoli with an 0-and-2 count. But Bedrosian, called up from triple A earlier Sunday, threw two balls, a pitch that was fouled off and another ball to run the count full. Napoli then hit a two-run double high off the wall in left-center field and Boston led, 5-1. Rusney Castillo singled, and Brock Holt hit a run-scoring single against left-hander Cesar Ramos for a 6-1 lead.

AT THE PLATE: Napoli’s two-run home run in the second inning traveled an estimated 450 feet to center field, the longest home run in Fenway Park this season. It followed a single by Xander Bogaerts, who tied a career high with four hits. The Angels managed only four hits in eight innings against left-hander Wade Miley, scoring in the sixth when Erick Aybar singled and Mike Trout hit a run-scoring double. Miley retired the first 14 batters before Chris Iannetta walked and C.J. Cron singled in the fifth.

ON THE MOUND: Hector Santiago has been on a short leash, rarely given a chance to go much past the 100-pitch mark, but Manager Mike Scioscia allowed him to throw a career-high 124 pitches Sunday. “I think they lost the leash,” said Santiago, who fell to 3-3 with a 2.47 earned-run average despite giving up only three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. “That’s good. It shows a lot of confidence in me.” Santiago maintained his stuff throughout, hitting 95 mph in the seventh inning. “I felt better on that last pitch than I felt in the first and second,” Santiago said. “My velocity was even better.”

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ROSTER MOVE: Bedrosian, who had a 1.93 ERA in 10 games at triple-A Salt Lake, replaced reliever Mike Morin, who went on the disabled list because of a left rib-cage strain. Morin will undergo tests to determine the severity of the strain. Matt Shoemaker returned from a mild oblique strain in 2 1/2 weeks in September, but a severe strain can sideline a pitcher for four to six weeks.

LATE SCRATCH: Collin Cowgill, slated to start in left field, injured his right hand during batting practice and was replaced by Matt Joyce. An X-ray was negative and Cowgill, who has also been battling a sore lower back, was listed as day to day.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Jered Weaver (3-4, 4.37 ERA) will oppose San Diego right-hander Tyson Ross (2-4, 3.93) on Monday at 6 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: FS West; Radio: 830.

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