All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Astros, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Perez throws a beauty: Martin Perez turned in what might have been the best start from any Red Sox starter this season, shutting out the Astros for 7.2 innings while allowing just six hits and one walk. Remarkably, Perez got within four outs of a complete-game shutout on just 82 pitches as he focused on quick at-bats, being aggressive and inducing weak contact. Until he ran into some difficulty in the eighth, his final inning, Perez didn't throw more than a dozen pitches in any one inning. (By contrast, Wednesday's starter Nick Pivetta threw 56 pitches in his first two innings; Perez was at 56 pitches after 57 after six innings). He also didn't pile up the strikeouts, which is rare in 2021. Perez didn't record a single strikeout over his first four innings and ended his outing with just four. But by making the Astros put the ball in play and consistently getting ahead, he got the job done.
Offense finally awakens: In the first three game of this series, the Red Sox managed just four runs in 27 innings as an assortment of Houston starters shut down the big bats in the Boston lineup. Then, with one swing of the bat, Christian Arroyo delivered a three-run shot in the second inning to provide all the backing the Sox would need on this day. Just for good measure, however, Xander Bogaerts helped add to the lead in the seventh when he cracked a two-run double, scoring both Alex Verdugo (walk) and J.D. Martinez (double). For Bogaerts, it was the end of the longest and most miserable slump since 2014, where he went more than a week without a hit. But it wasn't just the big hits by Arroyo or Bogaerts - the Sox also took a better approach at the plate from top-to-bottom, and worked seven walks. In the previous three games in the series, they had just four walks, including only one walk in each of the first two games.
TURNING POINT
In the fifth inning, leading 3-0, Perez encountered the only jam he had all afternoon, with two singles giving the Astros first-and-second with two outs. Catcher Garrett Stubbs than laced a hard grounder to the right side of the infield which Bobby Dalbec threw himself at and gloved. Dalbec then made a nice feed to Perez covering first for the final out. Had that ball gotten through the infield, the Astros would have had a run in and probably runners at the corners and the top of the order due up. Instead, Perez was rescued and the inning was over.
TWO UP
J.D. Martinez: Martinez roped two doubles to left, showing signs of life after a rough first three games that saw him limited to just one hit in that span.
Brandon Workman: He hung a curveball that resulted in a solo homer, but Workman also fanned two hitters as he pitched the ninth and began his second stint with the Sox.
ONE DOWN
Bobby Dalbec: The Red Sox' offensive rebirth didn't include everyone, as Dalbec continued to struggle mightily at the plate, striking out four times in four trips to the plate.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"He induces weak contact and when he uses his pitches the way he has to, this is what happens.'' Alex Cora on Martin Perez.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Hunter Renfroe extended his hitting streak to seven games.
* The homer by Christian Arroyo was the 11th three-run homer for the Sox this season.
* Adam Ottavino has stranded 12-of-13 inherited runners this season.
* Martin Perez became the first Red Sox starter to pitch into the eighth inning in 2021.
UP NEXT: The Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium for the first time this season, with RHP Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 4.01) vs. TBD at 7:05 p.m.