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David Freese, not Mike Trout, leads the Angels in RBIs

Angels third baseman David Freese hits a sacrifice fly to drive in the eventual game-winning run in the eighth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 19.

Angels third baseman David Freese hits a sacrifice fly to drive in the eventual game-winning run in the eighth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 19.

(Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images)
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Pop quiz: Who leads the Angels in runs batted in before Saturday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park?

If you said Mike Trout, you’d be wrong. It’s third baseman David Freese, whose 27 RBIs are not only four more than Trout has, but they put Freese on pace for 104 this season.

That would far exceed the 55 that Freese had in 2014, his first season with the Angels, and the 60 he had in 2013, his last season with the St. Louis Cardinals.

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“He’s driving the ball better, he’s been more productive,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s getting a lot of RBI opportunities and making the most of them. Right now, he’s more comfortable in the batter’s box.”

Freese, who will be a free agent after this season, has hit .346 (nine for 26) with eight RBIs in his last nine games and drove in two runs in the Angels’ 12-5 victory over the Red Sox on Friday night.

Freese has eight home runs, putting him on pace for 30 this season. He did not hit his eighth home run last season until Sept. 12.

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His batting average (.234) and on-base percentage (.284) are not that good, but he’s hitting .270 (10 for 37) with runners in scoring position.

“He’s better than a .230 hitter, but that’s not the important thing for David,” Scioscia said. “His average will be what it will be, but his prodution numbers” are more important. “Right now, he’s having a very good offensive year.”

Follow Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter @MikeDiGiovanna

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