Red Sox Take Back-To-Back Shutouts, Losing 3-0 To Angels

Two games since the All-Star break and the Boston Red Sox still haven't scored a run.

Although David Ortiz won't deny the frustration, he isn't worried just yet.

Garrett Richards pitched a two-hitter for his second career shutout, Kole Calhoun hit two homers and the Los Angeles Angels beat Boston 3-0 Saturday night for their 13th victory in 16 games.

Pablo Sandoval had both hits for the Red Sox, who have been shut out in consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 7-8, 2009, by the Yankees. Despite solid pitching that has held Los Angeles to four runs and seven hits in two games, Boston's offensive progress before the break hasn't shown up at the plate in Orange County so far.

"It's been happening a lot this year," said Ortiz, who went 0 for 3. "We've been having those times where no matter what you do, it doesn't work out. We finished the first half good, so hopefully we can blame this on the four days off.

"Hitting is something that's a continuation of what you do the day before. The four days off affected pretty much everybody around here, so hopefully we'll bounce back."

Richards (10-6) allowed just three baserunners and retired Boston's final 15 hitters in order. He allowed just one runner to reach third base, retiring 22 of 23 overall to end it.

Sandoval's infield single and ground-rule double were the extent of the offense for the last-place Red Sox, who have lost four of five spanning the break. Boston had five hits while losing the series opener 1-0 Friday on Mike Trout's walk-off homer.

"Except for Pablo's two hits, for nine innings (Richards) stood out there and filled the strike zone up with power stuff," Boston manager John Farrell said. "They've thrown two good ballgames. But certainly, the way we swung the bat over the last month leading into the All-Star break, it felt like we all were capable of showing more than we what we've shown the first two nights here coming out of the break. ... We've run into two good pitchers that have thrown the ball well."

Calhoun, who had three hits, led off the third and fifth innings with long homers into the elevated right-field stands off Rick Porcello (5-10). Porcello yielded just four hits and two earned runs in five innings, but lost his fifth straight road decision.

"We were in some tough spots, but we were able to pitch out of it and limit some damage," Porcello said. "So to me, that's the biggest emphasis moving forward: limiting those big innings."

Sandoval doubled in the fifth and advanced on a groundout to become the only Boston baserunner to reach third base in the series, but Richards stranded him.

"The guy pitched well," Ortiz said of Richards. "He was effectively wild. He just threw any pitch in any situation."

HITLESS WONDER

The Angels scored a run without a hit in the second inning. David Freese reached on a grounder and advanced on another grounder and a walk before scoring on a bases-loaded wild pitch.

TOTAL WASHOUT

Batting practice was canceled while a drizzling rain hit Orange County for most of the afternoon. The tarp stayed on the field until less than an hour before game time - an extremely rare occurrence in sunny Southern California.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: They addressed their bullpen depth by recalling right-hander Noe Ramirez from Triple-A Pawtucket before the game, giving them eight relievers.

Angels: Closer Huston Street said he was ready to pitch Saturday after mildly straining his groin last week. Eighth-inning specialist Joe Smith also said he was ready to pitch after taking a liner off his leg Friday.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 3.59 ERA), the 22-year-old Venezuelan lefty, has given up just four runs in 17 1-3 innings over his last three starts.

Angels: Stingy All-Star lefty Hector Santiago (6-4, 2.33 ERA) looks for his first career win over Boston.