### Angels' Dominance: Kikuchi's Stellar Performance Leads to Series Sweep Over Red Sox The Los Angeles Angels showcased a remarkable performance against the Boston Red Sox, completing a three-game sweep with a 5-2 victory on June 28, 2025. Yusei Kikuchi delivered a standout performance, striking out a season-high 12 batters over seven innings, which significantly contributed to the Angels' resurgence as they reached a .500 record for the first time in over a month. The game was marked by pivotal home runs from Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud, who each contributed to the team's scoring efforts. Despite a shaky start, Kikuchi's dominance on the mound turned the tide in favor of the Angels, who have now won 12 of their last 19 games [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/kikuchi_fans_12_as_angels_sweep_red_sox_with_5_2_victory/s1_17079_42386920][https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/06/25/yusei-kikuchi-shakes_off_bad_start_as_angels_get_back_to_500]. ### Breakdown of the Angels' Victory 1. **Pitching Performance**: - Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12 batters, allowing only three hits and two unearned runs in seven innings. - Ryan Zeferjahn secured the win with two scoreless innings, marking his second save of the season. 2. **Offensive Contributions**: - Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud each hit solo home runs and contributed with RBI singles. - The Angels scored all five runs in the middle innings, showcasing their offensive power. 3. **Game Context**: - The Angels improved their record to 40-40, marking a significant turnaround after a challenging start to the season. - The Red Sox, on the other hand, faced their fifth consecutive loss, struggling to maintain momentum. ### Key Statistics and Highlights - **Kikuchi's Performance**: - **Strikeouts**: 12 (season-high) - **Innings Pitched**: 7 - **Earned Runs**: 0 - **Total Pitches**: 74 over the final six innings - **Offensive Highlights**: - **Jo Adell**: 1 home run, 2 RBIs - **Travis d'Arnaud**: 1 home run, 3 hits, 2 RBIs - **Team Record**: 40-40, 7-3 in the last 10 games - **Red Sox Performance**: - **Trevor Story**: 2 RBIs from a single in the first inning. - **Team Record**: 5 consecutive losses. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Angels The Los Angeles Angels' victory over the Boston Red Sox not only highlights Yusei Kikuchi's exceptional pitching but also signifies a potential turning point in their season. With a balanced offensive attack and a solid pitching performance, the Angels are showing signs of improvement and resilience. As they continue to build on this momentum, they may become a formidable contender in the league [https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2025/06/25/red-sox-lose-fifth-straight-game-get-swept-by-angels-5-2][https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/yusei_kikuchi_fans_12_as_angels_sweep_red_sox/s1_17044_42376006].