The Red Sox snapped their three-game losing streak with one of their best all-around games of the season, an emphatic 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
The Sox got a three-run homer from Christian Arroyo and Xander Bogaerts, ending an 0-for-24 skid, added a two-run homer in the seventh to account for all five runs.
Meanwhile, Martin Perez became the first Red Sox starter to pitch into the eighth inning this season, allowing just six hits. Perez, 4-2, needed just 82 pitches to record 23 outs.
WHO: Red Sox (32-23) vs. Houston Astros (31-24)
WHEN: 2:10 p.m.
WHERE: Minute Maid Park
SERIES TO DATE: HOU 3-0
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Martin Perez (3-2, 3.55) vs. RHP Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 6.75 )
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM, 93.7
LINEUPS
Santana CF
Verudgo LF
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Devers 3B
Renfroe RF
Arroyo 2B
Plawecki C
Dalbec 1B
ASTROS
Altuve 2B
Diaz SS
Bregman 3B
Alvarez DH
Gurriel 1B
Jones LF
McCormick RF
Straw CF
Stubbs C
B8: That's it for Perez, who was masterful in 7.2 scoreless (so far -- he's responsible for two baserunners) innings, allowing six hits and just one walk. Incredibly, he came within four outs of a complete game and threw just 82 pitches.
T7: Xander Bogaerts snaps a long 0-for-24 kid with a sharp double into the left field corner on an 0-for-2 count. Scores two runs and opens up a big lead for the Sox.
T6: Alex Cora has seen enough from home plate umpire Lance Barrett. Comes out to argue and, predictably, gets run for the second time this season.
B5: Huge play by Dalbec, who makes a diving stop his right to cut off a hard-hit ball by Garrett Stubbs, then feeds Perez perfectly for the third out. Saved at least a run, maybe more.
T5: Some tough called third strike calls in that inning, but Sox had bases loaded and just one out and come away empty-handed. Potentially costly.
B4: Not only is Perez shutting out the Astros over four innings -- just two hits allowed -- but he's been incredibly efficient along the way, needing just 37 pitches through four.
T3: Sox put a play on, with Hunter Renfroe off for second in a steal attempt. He stops to draw a rundown, but the Astros throw home and tag out Rafael Devers at the plate. Devers is spiked by catcher Garrett Stubbs, but is OK.
T3: Red Sox have three walks through 3.2 innings today; they had just four walks in the first 18 innings of the series.
B2: Martin Perez does exactly what you want from a pitcher after you've scored three runs -- quick inning, 1-2-3, just nine pitches needed.
T2: In addition to grabbing a 3-0 lead, the Sox made Jake Odorizzi throw 38 pitches, which could pay dividends.
T2: Huge shot by Christian Arroyo, who drives a cutter over the middle and hits it over the scoreboard in LF. First multi-run lead of the series.
T2: Finally, Rafael Devers connects on a fastball, turning on a 93 mph heater over the heart of the plate and walloping it straightaway CF for a leadoff double.
WHAT'S UP: The Red Sox are in the middle of a three-game losing streak, tied for the longest of the year....Even having lost three in a row, the Sox record of 32-23 (.582), the Sox still have the third-best record in the American League and they're 4-1-1 in their last six series....They've already lost this series (0-3 with one game remaining), making this just their second lost road series of the year. The other won was also in Texas, when the Sox dropped 3-fo-4 to the Rangers last month...Despite a slump that has limited them to just four runs over the last three games, the Red Sox still lead the majors in doubles (120) and extra-base hits (193)...They rank second in slugging percentage (.438), third in AVG (.257), fourth in OPS (.754), and sixth in runs (271)...When they score four or more runs. the Red Sox are an MLB-best 28-3 (.903) and are 16-0 scoring seven or more runs...Boston has hit just one homer in the last three games but is still out-homering its opponents, 69-40 (+29), the largest difference in MLB... They rank tied for fourth in the AL in homers hit....At 16-10 (.615), the Sox own MLB’s third-best road record behind Tampa Bay (20-9, .690) and Oakland (16-8, .667)...Rafael Devers leads MLB in extra-base hits (31) and the AL in doubles (17) and leads AL third basemen in HR (14), RBI (43), SLG (.582), OPS (.928), and total bases (113). Xander Bogaerts leads AL shortstops in AVG (.309), OBP (.372), SLG (.536), OPS (.908), doubles (14), wRC+ (148), XBH (tied, 24), and FanGraphs’ War (2.4). J.D. Martinez leads the AL in multi-hit games (20) and leaThe Sox are 15-5 when their starter lasts 6.0+ innings... S ds designated hitters in AVG (.320), OBP (.391), OPS (.956), total bases (113), and wRC+ (158)....The Sox are 15-5 when their starter lasts six or more innings...Red Sox relievers rank sixth in the AL and 11th in MLB in ERA (3.70).. Adam.Ottavino has a 1.53 ERA in 19 appearances since April 17 and Josh Taylor has not allowed a run in 13 outings beginning 4/30 (9.1 IP, 5 H, 1 HB, 3 BB, 9 SO)......Hunter Renfroe is 11-for-20 (.550) in his last six games, with eight runs, six doubles, two homers and four RBI. Since May 1, Renfroe leads the Sox in AVG (.316), slugging percentage (.592), OPS (.928), hits (tied, 31), and runs (tied, 19)...Jose Altuve is 13-for-38 (.342) lifetime against Martin Perez while Yuli Gurriel is 4-for-9.... Christian Arroyo has a three-game hitting streak while Xander Bogaerts is 0-for-21 and Danny Santana is 1-for-13....Martinez is 5-for-12 with a homer lifetime off Jake Odorizzi while Bogaerts is 10-for-32
NOTES:
* The Red Sox Thursday added Brandon Workman to their major league roster. The Sox had optioned Colten Brewer after Wednesday's game and on Thursday, designated him for assignment to create a roster spot on the 40-man roster. Workman, whose time with the team dates back to 2013, was traded by the Sox last August to Philadelphia. He signed with the Cubs in the offseason before being released earlier this season. He then signed a minor league deal with the Sox and pitched at Triple A Worcester before exercising an opt-out to force the club's hand. "His usage is different from earlier in the season,'' said Alex Cora. "I believe his velocity will be up and the breaking ball shape and the spin has been solid. We know this guy. He's ready to pitch. We'll find spots for him and find matchups that benefit him and us and get him going Hopefully, those few bad months outside the organization are in the past, he's cleared his mind and he's ready to go and he can perform hopefully the way he did in '19. He doesn't have to be lights out; just do the job -- that's something we're looking for.'' Cora said the team will wait a bit before throwing him into high-leverage spots. "We'll help him out,'' said Cora. "