All you need to know about the Red Sox' win over the Angels, complete with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Perez gets support, makes the most of it: In his seven starts before Saturday, the Red Sox had scored all of nine runs while Martin Perez was still in the game. That, as much as anything, explains why he was still searching for his first win of the season when he took the mound. Then, the oddest thing happened. The Sox gave him a 1-0 edge in the first, added three more in the fourth and another three in the fifth. In all, the eight runs while Perez was still on the mound nearly matched the amount they had scored for him in the first month and a half this season. The win also marked the first victory for Perez at Fenway since signing with the Red Sox. He won three games last year, but every one came on the road. Perez continues to be a solid back-end starter for the Sox, especially of late. He's got a 1.11 ERA over his last four outings. On Saturday, in addition to his fastball and changeup, his sinker and cutter gave the Angels problems, especially Shohei Ohtani, whom he fanned twice.
Bottom of lineup erupts: It's safe to say that Bobby Dalbec has turned the corner. He had homers in each of his last two games before Saturday, then added two doubles and two RBI Saturday. And following Dalbec, there were even signs of life from Franchy Cordero. Cordero, remember, had a three-hit game nine days ago, only to fall immediately back into another long slump that saw him come into Saturday in the middle of an 0-for-17 mess. But after grounding out in the second, he produced two scorching doubles down the right field line, hit to almost exactly the same spot, knocking in Dalbec both times. Manager Alex Cora said he noticed Cordero with a more complete approach at the plate and hopes that this time is really the signal that the slumping outfielder is ready to break out for good. If the Sox can start getting this kind of production from the last two or three spots in the order, there's no telling what kind of offense they could have.
TURNING POINT
Reflecting the final score, there was not much drama in this one. But it was still just a 4-0 game in the fifth inning when Xander Bogaerts stepped to the plate with two on and nobody out. Bogaerts got a pitch right over the heart of the plate from L.A. starter Dylan Bundy and crushed it over everything in left field, clearing the Monster Seats with ease. Bogaerts, who began slow, now leads the Sox in both homers and RBI this month. Given how much Perez was in command, the game wasn't much in question by then, but moving the score to 7-0 completely put the proceedings out of reach for the Angels.
TWO UP
Alex Verdugo: On his 25th birthday, Verdugo snapped an 0-for-15 slump with a first-inning homer and later added a single while scoring two runs.
Rafael Devers: The third baseman continued to punish pitchers, with an opposite field single and later, a solo homer for his 10th homer, tying him with J.D. Martinez for the team lead in that department.
TWO DOWN
Marwin Gonzalez: Gonzalez had been doing a fine job in his recent chances to hit leadoff, but not Saturday. He was hitless in five plate appearances and didn't reach base.
Hunter Renfroe: The outfielder carried a three-game hitting streak into the game, but was 0-for-4 with a strikeout and a double play.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Overall, I think this was our best game of the year.'' - Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The win assured the Red Sox winning the series. They're now 7-3-3 in series play.
* The game tied the season-high in margin of victory (nine). They beat Tampa Bay 11-2 on April 5.
* The Sox have had their starters go at least six innings in five straight games.
* Bobby Dalbec has six extra-base hits and and 11 RBI in his last seven games.
* The home run by Xander Bogaerts, measured at 446 feet, was the second-longest of his career.
UP NEXT: The series concludes at 1:10 p.m. Sunday with RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 4.20) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (0-3, 9.00) at 1:10 p.m.