Angels' former first-round picks shine in big win 

ANAHEIM -- When the Angels took lefty Reid Detmers with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 and right-hander Sam Bachman with the No. 9 overall selection in ’21, they hoped they’d blossom into productive starters.

And while Detmers has had some success as a starter in the past, both are currently members of the bullpen and came up huge in a 9-5 win over the Red Sox on Monday night at Angel Stadium. Detmers inherited a jam in the seventh inning, coming in with two runners in scoring position with one out but struck out two after an intentional walk, while Bachman threw a perfect eighth. They both have a chance to return to the rotation at some point but have been excelling in their current roles.

“They were huge,” said acting manager Ray Montgomery. “Det coming into that situation right there, that was huge. And with Sammy, we’ve seen it before but it’s nice to see it coming back like that [after injury issues]. For him to get in that situation and handle it was good to see.”

It set the stage for the Angels taking the lead in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from rookie second baseman Christian Moore, who was the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s Draft. The Angels tacked on three more runs on a bases-loaded walk from Taylor Ward and a two-run single from Travis d’Arnaud. The Angels needed just six hits to score their nine runs, as they drew 11 walks and were hit by two pitches. They scored five in the first with Walker Buehler walking four and hitting two.

“It was great,” Montgomery said. “The guys were patient. I know they were talking about it before the game. They took it to the extreme but we’ll take it.”

It was fitting that Moore came through, as he’s another former first-round pick for the Angels, who had eight former first-rounders see action against the Red Sox. The others are first baseman Nolan Schanuel (2023), shortstop Zach Neto (2022), Ward (2015), center fielder Jo Adell (2017) and designated hitter Mike Trout (2009). It marked the first time a team fielded at least eight of their former first-rounders since the Brewers on July 3, 1991, also against Boston.

Moore had an impressive game on both sides of the ball, making a nice catch in right field in the fourth with the ball just staying in his glove and helping the Angels get two outs in a pivotal play in the fifth.

“Defensively, it's been really impressive just how he stays composed in the moment and then handles the plays and knows where to go,” Montgomery said. “I love him in moments like that.”

With Jarren Duran at second base, right-hander Jack Kochanowicz induced a grounder to Neto at short, who threw to third to get Duran in a rundown. Moore chased Duran down for the first out and made a heads-up play to throw to second in time to get Abraham Toro as he tried to advance. Red Sox manager Alex Cora argued that Toro was obstructed by Luis Rengifo at second to no avail and was thrown out of the game.

After the Red Sox tied it in the sixth on a solo homer from Trevor Story, Detmers was called in the seventh after Brock Burke put two runners on before a sacrifice fly. But after an intentional walk, Detmers struck out both Roman Anthony and Story to get out of the inning unscathed. It was another strong showing from Detmers, who has a 0.48 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings over his last 18 outings dating back to May 9.

“I was thinking strikeouts,” Detmers said. “I obviously didn’t want them to score. I knew Anthony would be up there hacking so I tried to keep the ball below the zone. Maybe get a double play. It was just going right at them with my best stuff.”

Bachman, who opened the year on the injured list because of thoracic outlet syndrome, was called on in the eighth and threw a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. He’s also shined since getting called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on June 12, posting a 1.80 ERA with five strikeouts in five innings.

“He's been nasty,” Detmers said. “He's really good right now. It's elite stuff, really good stuff. I'm glad he's healthy, and hopefully he can keep it going, because he's a huge part of the ‘pen.”