Although Bengie was known more for his defensive prowess, he also had some pop in his bat. Over a four game span against the Red Sox, the Angels’ receiver hit safely in nine consecutive at bats, breaking the previous club record of eight.
In the first game, he singled in the eighth, and scored the only run in a 6-1 loss. In the second game, Bengie didn’t play.
In the third game, Molina pounded a double into right-center. He scored on Benji Gil’s single for the game’s first run. In the fourth, he smacked a single to left-center; but was forced at second on Gil’s ground ball. He led off the seventh with another single. This time he was nailed at the plate on a fielder’s choice. Finally in the eighth, with the Angels leading 3-2, Molina smashed a solo home run to add a valuable insurance run in the 4-2 win.
In the final game of the series, Molina hit a one-out single in the second inning. Unfortunately, he was forced out at second. In the fourth, he doubled down the leftfield line to drive in Scott Spiezio and give the Angels a 3-0 lead. He then scored the fourth run on David Eckstein’s single. In the sixth, he drove a single to left for his eighth consecutive hit, tying a record held jointly by four other Angels. This time he was stranded at first. In the bottom of the eighth, Bengie found himself stuck in a 0-2 hole, with two outs, against Red Sox hurler Derek Lowe. Bengie cued Lowe’s next offering into right field for his ninth straight hit, breaking the record. Again he was stranded. By that point the Red Sox had taken the lead, and would end up winning the game 7-6.
Bengie’s streak ended the next day on a flyball to right. But Bengie’s 9 hits (6 singles, 2 doubles, and a HR) in 9 at bats was quite a feat – an Angels’ record that remains to this day.
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