Red Sox 3; Angels 4

How does this team win games? Seriously. They basically handed the Red Sox three runs tonight, and almost handed them a fourth in the ninth inning. Figgins misplayed a slightly tougher than routine fly ball into two runs. Garret Anderson misplayed a blooper into another run (only after gross mismangagement by Mike Scioscia), and Maicer Izturis just about blew in the top of the ninth inning. Twice.

But somehow, the Angels scratched out just enough runs to win the game, thanks to another clutch two out RBI single from Garret Anderson, coming on the heels of Orlando Cabrera's GIDP to take the leadoff hitter off the bases. Props to GA and Juan Rivera for their RBIs, and Figgins should be recognized from getting one of the gift runs he handed the Red Sox back, and for the nice catch he made on Manny Ramirez's deep drive to center to lead off the ninth.

But special ire is reserved for Mike Scioscia tonight, who made the inexplicable (I've used that word a lot this year) decision to remove Brendan Donnelly with two outs in the seventh. He had retired all three hitters he faced, and there was no reason to take him out mid-inning. It reeked of amateur psychology on Scioscia's part. The only explanation is that he ran Shields out there to exorcise his Papi demons, which include two homers, one that preceeded a complete collapse last month. There was absolutely no baseball purpose behind that move, and it almost cost them the game. Fortunately GA came through in the clutch, Shields turned it around, the Angels pulled it out.

Another game picked up on Oakland tonght, and the Angels are back within four. That's five straight wins, and they need to keep this pace to hang with the A's who have an easier schedule this week. I don't know how they're doing it, but just imagine if they actually start playing the mistake free baseball that a lot of thought they were capable of playing.