The Sunday, May 16, 2021

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Birthday boy homers, Martin Pérez cruises as Red Sox bounce Angels

Julian McWilliams

Alex Verdugo rounded the bases after his first-inning solo shot Saturday and made sure not to miss anybody.

He had friends seated in the first row of the Green Monster seats. He pointed to them as he rounded second base. He had his family, including his mom and dad, in the stands above home plate. He pointed to them, too, when he crossed the dish.

The day had multiple layers to it for both Verdugo in the Sox. For starters, the Verdugo homer helped catapult the Red Sox to a convincing 9-0 win over the Angels. The first-place Red Sox, who have won three straight, will go for a series sweep Sunday. Secondly, it snapped an 0-for-14 skid for Verdugo.

The game also marked the first time Verdugo’s family got a chance to see him play at Fenway following a 2020 season without any fans.

Oh, and Saturday also happened to be the ’s 25th birthday.

“The last thing we want to do is lose on my birthday,” Verdugo said after the game. “That’s the biggest thing for me. In that first at-bat, going through a little skid, getting a pitch out over [the plate], and driving it like that in front of my family and friends here was a very special moment for me.”

That wouldn’t be Verdugo’s only of the game. Verdugo was 2 for 4 on the day with two runs scored. After losing his approach at the plate in that last week, Verdugo was once again locked in.

“I wasn’t letting the ball travel,” Verdugo said regarding his recent struggles. “And that’s the biggest thing for me is when I let the travel and get deep on me, I just use my hands and shoot it to left. And then it puts me in a better spot for the curveballs, the change ups or the off speed pitches.”

Ironically, both of Verdugo’s hits came to the pull side. His first inning homer came on a fastball Verdugo crushed into the right field stands. Nonetheless, he didn’t roll over on any of the pitches, which is indicative of his approach that caters toward staying inside the .

The Red Sox clobbered Dylan Bundy for eight hits and seven runs in four-plus innings of work.

In the fourth inning, carried over his success from Friday evening’s contest when his two- out scored an additional two runs. followed Dalbec with a double of his own, extending the Red Sox’ lead to 4-0. Both Dalbec and Cordero recorded two doubles in the game.

Xander Bogaerts obliterated a Bundy fastball 446 feet, the second-longest homer of his career. The three- run shot was Bogaerts’s ninth homer of the year and ended Bundy’s afternoon.

“He didn’t miss that one,” said of Bogaerts. “He’s having a heck of a start.”

Martin Pérez entered Saturday without a win in his last nine starts, dating to last season. But Pérez saw that misfortune end Saturday with six innings of three-hit ball. Pérez, who is prone to the walk, did issue four of them, but his overall stuff played when he needed it to.

For instance, he fanned twice with his sinker in the third, and then his cutter in the fifth. Ohtani went down swinging on Pérez’s sinker and then jumped out the way of his cutter in the fifth that darted back over the plate for a strike.

“When I have those two pitches in the zone, or where I want it, my changeup is good,” said Pérez, who has given up just four earned runs over his last four starts (22⅓ innings, 1.61 ERA).”You can attack the hitters a little bit more. For me, today everything was good.”

Rafael Devers’s solo shot in the seventh was his 10th homer of the season, tying him with J.D. Martinez for the most on the club.

The Red Sox (25-16) will have Nate Eovaldi on the mound Sunday. Saturday’s win proved yet again how productive this Red Sox team can be when it all comes together.

“I think overall, probably the best game of the season for us,” Cora said.

Matt Barnes continues dominant start anchoring Red Sox bullpen

Julian McWilliams

Matt Barnes has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball this season. Friday evening’s save against the Angels marked Barnes’s 12th perfect appearance of at least one inning of work. In his last eight appearances he has retired 23 of 24 hitters, backed by 15 in that span. Barnes is 9 for 9 in save opportunities, allowing zero runs while holding opponents to an .034 batting average.

Barnes holds a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings and has fanned 33.

Veteran reliever knows what it feels like to be on this type of tear.

“You kind of feel like you have a secret,” Ottavino said prior to his team’s 9-0 win against the Angels Saturday. “Like, I know something that you don’t know and that you’re in big trouble when you face me. Right now, that’s how the hitters are, they’re in big trouble when they face him.”

Ottavino has been in Barnes’s ear during this stretch, wanting him to aim even higher.

“I told him a week ago that he has to get greedy in this situation,” Ottavino said. “Don’t let the foot off the gas just because it’s going easy right now. Put your foot on their neck and get greedy with it and see how far you can take it. It’s still a long season, but the start is off right now. I mean, you can dream a little bit on it.”

Verdugo breaks out of slump

Before Alex Verdugo’s solo shot in the bottom of the first inning Saturday off Angels starter Dylan Bundy, the outfielder was in a bit of a rut at the plate. He was hitless in his previous 14 at-bats prior to Saturday. In his six previous games, Verdugo was just 2 for 24 (.083), 12 for 53 overall in the month of May.

“It seems like he’s getting beat with inside, and then changeups, he’s rolling over,” manager Alex Cora said.

In the month of May, teams have been throwing hard stuff (sinker, cutter, four-seam fastball) middle-in to Verdugo 3.8 percent of the time. In April, that number was just 1.4 percent.

Cora acknowledged that the workload is different for Verdugo, too, who hasn’t played more than 106 games for his career.

“This is something that is different for him, 162 games,” Cora said. “He’s never done that. So we got to take care of him.”

Verdugo finished Saturday 2 for 4, including a single in the fifth and two runs scored.

“It’s a long year,” Verdugo said after the game. “And we all know we go through ups and downs.”

Setback for Arroyo

Christian Arroyo (left hand contusion) took soft toss Friday and didn’t come out of it well.

“It didn’t go great,” Cora said. “He’s not going to take batting practice today. He’s still feeling it towards the end of his swing. Kind of like babying his swing through impact.”

Arroyo won’t be ready for a rehab game just yet, but the team and Cora also think he’s not that far off with a target date of next week. For now, though, Arroyo will have to go through his progression again.

“We have to reset that plan and go from there,” Cora said. “We’ll probably try the same thing, get treatment and go back to tee work and start building again.”

Hernández nearing return

Kiké Hernández was in the WooSox lineup Saturday against Syracuse batting leadoff as the team’s DH. He will play the Sunday. INF/OF was also in the WooSox lineup and hit a two-run homer in his first-. Santana finished 1 for 4 with a walk, a and two runs scored. Hernández was 0 for 2 with a strikeout and a run scored … Cora said (sore flexor muscle) is feeling “normal” , but it will ultimately be the team doctor’s decision in regards to what normal is. “The fact that he’s feeling that way it’s a positive,” Cora said. ... The Red Sox have begun 35 days in sole possession of first place in the East. The Red Sox join the White Sox as the only AL team without a four-plus game losing streak this season... The Red Sox placed reliever on the COVID- 19-related Saturday. Whitlock felt some lingering effects from his second dose of the COVID- 19 vaccine. The team recalled Colten Brewer from Triple A Worcester.

No doubt Alex Cora has made a big difference this season with the Red Sox

Peter Abraham

It seems like ancient history now with the Red Sox in first place. But Alex Cora’s return as manager six months ago wasn’t guaranteed.

The organization certainly needed some convincing, considering a full state of candidates before deciding to bring back Cora after a seasonlong suspension for his role in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal.

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said at the time that “intense conversations” were needed for him to get on board with the idea.

The fan base was split, too. For every positive comment there was a negative one. Even now, you can find some grumbling.

But there can’t be any doubt about the wisdom of the decision. With a mix-and-match roster that requires a new batting order or defensive lineup almost every day, the Sox are 25-16.

“This team, from the get-go, you could feel the energy,” Cora said Saturday before a 9-0 victory against the Los Angeles Angels. “Obviously, there’s a few things we’ve got to keep getting better. But so far so good.”

Players ultimately win or lose games, but Cora has made a difference. Martín Pérez, who went six strong innings for the win Saturday, said Cora is like a father in that he has their backs but sets expectations.

“Hopefully he can stay here for a long time and give the Red Sox organization a lot of championships,” Perez said.

Cora stayed patient with and Bobby Dalbec through their early-season slumps and is now getting results from the bottom of the order.

Xander Bogaerts is headed for another monster season and could lead the American League in RBIs unless J.D. Martinez beats him out.

The Sox looked awful in three losses against Baltimore to open the season. They have since played with a steady energy and direction. Cora’s confidence and competitiveness has made a difference.

That the rotation has a 3.81 has provided a base to build on.

“I knew we were good. I knew the rotation was going to do the job, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “Forget what happened last year here.”

The Sox have needed a fill-in starter only twice this season and had Tanner Houck available both times. In time, their rotation depth will be tested.

The bullpen has taken shape behind Matt Barnes. In all, the pitching is better than anybody expected.

You’d like to see another reliever step up and become a reliable option late in games. But bullpens always evolve over time and maybe that will be if he can regain his mojo in Triple A.

“We thought we were going to hang in there pitching-wise with everybody,” Cora said. “Offensively, we’re good and we can be better. Overall we’ve done a good job.”

Cora said he’s fine with the idea of the Sox “surviving” by playing .500 ball until they catch another hot streak. Given the parity in the standings, stealing days off for key players and being careful with the could pay off in September.

But while the game on the field feels like it always has, Cora is leading a different life than he did in 2019. His twin sons, Xander and Isander, turn 4 in July and require more of his attention now.

“They get up early and I have to be there for them,” Cora said.

The logistics of this season also are different for him because of the coronavirus protocols still in place, something he didn’t experience last year.

But the threat of the virus, which hung over last season like a guillotine, has eased considerably as more people are vaccinated.

The Angels, who have lost four straight and 10 of 13, aren’t a good barometer. Poor Mike Trout. It’s like Robert DeNiro having the lead in a Hallmark movie.

But this weekend, for the first time, it felt like baseball season at Fenway Park. The crowd of 9,301 on Friday night was energetic and the streets around the ballpark were busy again.

There were even some autograph seekers hovering outside of Gate D hoping to catch a player.

There was another energetic bunch on Saturday as the Sox hit three home runs.

“It feels very normal,” Cora said. “This building [Friday night] was fun. That was fun. It reminded me a lot of ’07, ’08, ’18, ’19, too. People getting into it. When we left the stadium there were a lot of people outside. We’re getting back to normal, right?

“Hopefully sooner rather than later this place is going to be packed and it’s going to be rocking.”

World Series hangover seems to have hit the Dodgers

Peter Abraham

No team has repeated as champion since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000. The Dodgers appeared set up to end that streak.

They played only 78 games last season including the playoffs, 98 fewer than the Red Sox did in 2018. Being worn out could not be an excuse.

The pandemic also kept players largely at home following the season as opposed to taking the advantage of the usual events, banquets, and commercial opportunities that emerge after a title.

The Dodgers then signed to improve what was already a dominant pitching staff.

But the dreaded World Series hangover hit Los Angeles anyway. As the season hit the quarter mark this weekend, the Dodgers were in third place in the West, having lost 15 of 20 at one point.

It’s the usual factors: injuries and underperformance.

Dustin May was lost for the season (and most of next) because of Tommy John surgery. Valuable reliever won’t be back until deep into the summer because of a shoulder strain. has played only four games because of a fracture in his left leg.

Gavin Lux, , , and also have been on the injured list.

The lineup has bounced back, but the bullpen is a glaring weakness. Dodgers relievers are averaging a modest 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings and have given up 11 homers, third most in the majors.

The Dodgers were 4-10 in one-run games going into the weekend as a result.

Manager Dave Roberts has acknowledged his team needs more urgency but still has plenty of time to return to form. Even with their issues, the Dodgers have never been more than three games out.

Clayton Kershaw was more direct.

“It doesn’t do anyone any good to think, ‘Oh, it’s a long season, it’s 162 games, and we’ll figure it out — we’re too good not to,’ ” he told reporters. “In my opinion, you figure it out right now.”

The 2019 Red Sox can attest to the futility of believing it will eventually happen.

Some other thoughts with the season a quarter over:

▪ Surprise teams — The Indians traded Francisco Lindor and have been no-hit twice. They also have the second-best record in the American League thanks to a player development system that churns out quality arms and the underappreciated talents of Jose Ramirez.

The Blue Jays have 15 at-bats from George Springer and started 20-16. The Red Sox count here, although we’ll see where they emerge as the schedule gets tougher.

The Athletics are never a surprise. But coming out of an 0-6 start to move into first place by April 21 was a feat even for them.

The Giants are playing smart and confident under . “One of the best-prepared teams I’ve watched,” an AL executive said. “They find advantages.”

Having Buster Posey’s leadership back in the clubhouse makes a big difference.

▪ Disappointing teams — The Twins preached process all spring. Now they badly need results after a 12-23 start. was keeping them afloat before a strained hip put him on the injured list. He’s out for at least another month.

The Braves are fighting to stay out of last after winning the division three years in a row. Marcell Ozuna has given them little.

The Royals made some win-now moves in the offseason but have dropped back after a promising start. The Rays have been largely a .500 team coming off the World Series. Three building blocks from last season — Mike Brosseau, Willy Adames, and Manuel Margot — have struggled.

The top-heavy Angels are under .500 again despite offseason roster additions.

▪ Still the most intriguing team — has had a few stumbles, but the White Sox have the best run differential in the game even without Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert.

Their lineup runs deep and Carlos Rodon, the definition of league average for six years, has suddenly become an ace.

▪ Some players on the rise — Rangers Isiah Kiner-Falefa plays every day, plays hard, and is fun to watch. He puts pressure on teams like a basketball player pressing the dribbler.

The Diamondbacks have raved about Carson Kelly, who is having a breakout season. Cedric Mullins of the Orioles has learned how to hit lefthanders and is piling up extra-base hits.

Reds left fielder Jesse Winker looks like an All-Star as his power continues to emerge.

▪ Struggling stars — Joey Votto, who will one day make for a great Hall of Fame debate, has a .305 OBP and isn’t playing well defensively. Ozuna is struggling to stay over .200 after signing for $64 million. Braves teammate Charlie Morton has a 5.08 ERA. Luis Castillo started 1-5 with a 7.71 ERA for the Reds.

Miguel Cabrera was 0 for 9 when the Tigers were at Fenway, striking out three times and grounding into two double plays. His moment isn’t here yet, but it’s going to come at some point as he struggles to get over .200.

Meanwhile, he’s on the books for $64 million from 2022-23.

SHIFTY SOX Bogaerts and Devers covering ground

As almost all teams do, the Red Sox over-shift to the right side against lefthanded hitters. That leaves Rafael Devers playing where the shortstop would usually be, and shortstop Xander Bogaerts playing at what amounts to second base.

Maybe it’s because he has more time to react, but Devers looks at ease at shortstop. And Bogaerts has made a series of slick plays while on the other side of second base.

The Sox have even turned two double plays out of that alignment.

“Raffy likes shortstop. He likes it,” manager Alex Cora said. “He moves his feet. He works hard on it. I think he’s able to read swings and the hop. It’s a comfort level.”

During his playing career, Cora said he felt “handcuffed” at third base because the ball got on him so fast. That changes when an infielder moves over.

The Sox considered having Devers go to the right side of second base and leaving Bogaerts at shortstop. But their versatility didn’t make that necessary.

Devers being able to handle shortstop allows Bogaerts to play on the right side of second base. His range makes the shift more effective.

“Both of them are doing a good job. Raffy makes the routine play when he’s at shortstop,” Cora said.

A few other observations about the Red Sox:

▪ Second baseman , who was off to a good start, landed on the injured list because he was twice hit on the left hand by pitches.

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. missed time for the same reason. and Michael Brantley also were drilled in the wrist.

As pitchers focus more on velocity than command, an increasing number of batters are being hit on the hands or wrists. It’s like they need hockey gloves at the plate.

“They have batting gloves that are safer. They have batting gloves that are padded,” J.D. Martinez said. “You see Arroyo, he’s got that whole hand guard. You can wear that; there’s guys that do it. But it’s uncomfortable. You’re putting something on that feels very stiff and jagged.”

For managers, it’s a constant worry.

“It’s where we’re at in the game,” Cora said. “It’s not about command, it’s about stuff. There are certain guys who can control their plus stuff. But there are others who throw as hard as possible for a short period of time and it doesn’t matter.

“It’s concerning. People like hard throwers and they’re rushing them to the major leagues.”

▪ With Tanner Houck recovering from what the Red Sox say is a minor flexor muscle issue, and Garrett Whitlock are being built up for the possibility of starting.

Whitlock has worked five innings in his last two relief outings. Ideally, one will emerge as the “sixth” starter. But for now both are getting stretched out.

Nothing is more vital to a team than its rotation depth. But Andriese has faced 32 hitters in high-leverage situations this season and Whitlock 15. That’ll have to be replaced if they’re in long relief over time unless Cora uses them to go three innings to get to Matt Barnes.

Hirokazu Sawamura is a good candidate to pick up some of that burden, particularly if he can command his offspeed pitches and keep his fastball above launch-angled swings.

In terms of getting to know his new teammates, Sawamura has that handled. The Japanese candy Hi-Chew has opened doors.

“Hi-Chew is extremely popular in the clubhouse and bullpen and dugout,” Sawamura said. “Hi-Chew is the key for good communication.”

Hi-Chew was big with the Sox when and were around. It’s like a Starburst/chewing gum mash-up with a lot of interesting flavors.

▪ Mitch Moreland said he was in contract talks with the Sox right up until he signed with the Athletics for one year and $2.25 million.

“Stayed in touch with the Red Sox all the way through,” Moreland said. “Right there to the end. We definitely talked about it.”

Moreland hit .233 with a .704 OPS, 4 homers, and 15 RBIs through his first 29 games. The Red Sox had had a .604 OPS at first base through 39 games.

But while Moreland may have been an upgrade, the Sox were at a stage where they needed to see if Bobby Dalbec and now were viable players.

▪ The Sox have 61 players in their player pool, nine short of the limit set by MLB to be eligible for this season. That encompasses the players in Boston and Worcester but doesn’t count and , who are in Florida.

The empty spots give the Sox options for midseason additions or players moving up to Triple A.

ETC. Stolen bases vanishing fast

Jacoby Ellsbury stole 70 bases for the Red Sox in 2009. Nobody has hit the mark in the majors since. Don’t expect that to change any time soon.

Mallex Smith led the majors with 46 in 2019. The leader this season, Whit Merrifield of the Royals, is on pace for 45.

There were 3,279 steals in 2011 and 2,474 in 2019. As teams incorporate analytics into game plans, attempts come only when the odds heavily favor the runner.

With pitchers learning to be quicker to the plate, that’s increasingly less often. Players also don’t want to risk injuries.

The “green light” is yellow at best and usually red.

“Good base running now is taking an extra base,” a scout said. “You don’t see many steals unless it’s an obvious situation. Players don’t run on their own.”

Through nearly a quarter of the season, the Astros, Mets, Reds, and Yankees had nine or fewer steals. The Padres, with 41 steals, are the team most aggressively running. Only eight teams had 20 or more.

MLB is trying rules changes in the minor leagues to encourage base stealing. Pitchers in High A are required to step off the rubber before attempting a pickoff. Low A pitchers are limited to two pickoff attempts. Triple A is trying larger, less slippery bases, which gives the runner a slight advantage.

It will take a while for the rules to get to the majors, if they get there at all.

Oswald Peraza, a 21-year-old Yankees shortstop prospect, stole eight bases in his first eight games for High A Hudson Valley. So maybe there’s hope.

Extra bases

The Rays, who can’t afford to make too many roster mistakes, made what for them was a whopper with utility player Yoshi Tsutsugo. He was designated for assignment Tuesday with $5.4 million remaining on his contract. Tsutsugo had a .628 OPS over 77 games after signing a two-year, $12 million deal before the 2020 season. The Rays also paid a $2.4 million posting fee to sign Tsutsugo away from the Yokohama Bay Stars. Tsutsugo hit for power (205 homers) and average (.281) in Japan but was overmatched by velocity in the United States . . . Gerrit Cole has five starts with 10 or more strikeouts and no walks this season. That’s already more than any pitcher for a season in Yankees history. He has struck out 78 with three walks in 52⅔ innings. Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes struck out 58 batters before walking his first batter. That’s a record within a season since the mound was moved back to 60 feet, 6 inches in 1893. When you hear players such as Bobby Dalbec talk about how difficult it has become to hit, this is what they mean . . . Weirdness: The Twins went into the weekend 12-12 in games that lasted nine innings and 0-11 in games that lasted seven innings or went to extra innings . . . , a favorite of Nick Cafardo, notched his 1,000th victory managing in the minors. The milestone came Wednesday with the Double A Erie SeaWolves, a Tigers affiliate. Of those 1,000 wins, 585 came managing in the Red Sox organization from 2000-02 and 2007-12 . . . Remember the final series of the 2019 season when Mike Minor had a teammate drop a foul pop up so he could continue facing Chris Owings and get his 200th strikeout? The Red Sox took exception to Minor embarrassing their teammate and a few comments went back and forth. Minor is 3-8 with a 5.63 ERA since. As Warren Zevon once wrote, “Bad karma, comin’ after me.” . . . Hard to believe, yet true: John Means was the first Orioles pitcher to be named American League Player of the Week since August 1994, when Arthur Rhodes claimed the award . . . Northeastern went into the weekend with a 28-6 record and 18-game win streak. The Huskies start the CAA tournament on Wednesday bidding for their second NCAA Tournament appearance under Mike Glavine. projects them as the third seed in a regional. Northeastern has good pitching and could be a tough out. UConn and Fairfield were the only other New England programs seen as having a good shot of advancing to the tournament . . . The next Hot Stove Cool Music event will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eddie Vedder headlines the virtual show with appearances from Yo-Yo Ma, Juliana Hatfield, Bill Janovitz, friend of the column Kay Hanley, Bronson Arroyo, and . Go to ftbnl.org to purchase tickets. All proceeds benefit Theo and Paul Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later, which includes the Peter Gammons Scholars program . . . Happy birthday to Carlos Pena, who will be 43 on Monday. The former Haverhill High and Northeastern star played 14 seasons in the majors with eight teams, including the Red Sox for 18 games in 2006. Pena hit 286 homers, tied for 173rd all time. He is now an analyst for MLB Network and the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network.

* The Boston Herald

Martin Perez finally picks up first home win as Red Sox rout Angels

Steve Hewitt

The Red Sox were always expected to hit this season, but few thought they would pitch like they are, and their defense has even surprised. Through a quarter of the season, it’s starting to become clear that they’re no fluke.

“We’re just a good baseball team,” manager Alex Cora said before Saturday’s game. “Like I said in , we felt like we were balanced.”

To everyone’s surprise but themselves, the Red Sox are in first place through 41 games, as they’ve stayed alone at the top of the American League East since April 10. On Saturday, their performance was something of a microcosm of how they’ve gotten there, as their bats carried another outburst at the plate and their starting pitching once again showed its capabilities.

Saturday was a bit of a ho-hum day at Fenway Park. Martin Perez earned his long-awaited first home win with the Red Sox and three different Sox hit homers as they produced yet another complete effort in an easy 9-0 victory over the Angels.

After signing prior to the 2020 season, Saturday marked his 12th start at Fenway with the Red Sox. The lefty had pitched well enough to earn a win in several of those starts. But after a few tough-luck outings this year, Perez left no doubt with six shutout innings, his best start of the season. He walked four, but limited the damage by scattering just three hits.

“It’s not about winning or losing here,” Cora said. “It’s about giving us a chance to win and he’s been doing that consistently. … We know the player, we like the player, we’re going to manage him the way we feel is convenient and productive for him and today he was throwing 95, 96 again so it was a great job.”

As the Red Sox’ No. 5 starter, Perez is doing what’s asked of him and then some. Over his last four starts, Perez has posted a 1.61 ERA and opponents are hitting just .220 against him. He hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in that span, giving his league-leading offense more than a good chance to win.

But for some reason, Perez’s run support had been lacking before Saturday. The Red Sox had scored just one run in two of his previous three starts, but they more than made up for it Saturday.

Alex Verdugo belted a first-inning homer on his 25th birthday, and the floodgates soon opened after. Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers also homered, and Nos. 8 and 9 hitters Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero added a pair of doubles. Perez departed with an 8-0 lead as the Red Sox cruised to pick up his first victory since Sept. 13, 2020.

“I think today everything came together,” Perez said. “Me, the guys hit the ball good, and like I said to you guys before, my last game here, good things are coming and now we see it. Just need to stay focused and do what we’ve been doing. We’re playing good baseball and the game before, I didn’t have the support, but I’m here just to go out there and compete and give a chance for my team to win.

“I’m not here to win 30 games. I’m here to help the team to make the playoffs. That’s my goal.”

Perez’s only real trouble came in the first, when he walked the leadoff man before allowing a hit to Shohei Ohtani. But he caught a break as Ohtani didn’t notice that the runner ahead of him had stopped at second, and he was caught in a rundown.

Perez walked Mike Trout but got out unscathed. He didn’t allow another baserunner to get into scoring position the rest of the way. The lefty felt like he controlled his cutter and sinker well, which allowed his other pitches to be successful.

It was yet another strong start for the Red Sox rotation, which continues to surpass expectations in a huge way. Over their last nine starts, their starters have produced a 2.55 ERA. For the year, the rotation has a 3.79 ERA, a significant improvement from their 5.34 ERA last season. will look to keep it going Sunday as the Red Sox try to hand the Angels a three-game sweep.

“Come back tomorrow and stay focused,” Perez said. “We still have a lot of games and we just have to go out there and do our best to win.”

Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo ends slump with ‘very special’ birthday homer in front of family

Steve Hewitt

Alex Verdugo was caught in a rare slump at the plate this week, but Saturday’s game against the Angels came with a promise from Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

“Give me one more day, go 4-for-4 and tomorrow is an off day,” Cora said.

It wasn’t quite a 4-for-4 performance, but there was plenty of reason for Verdugo to celebrate after his 2- for-4 day in the Red Sox’ 9-0 win over the Angels.

On his 25th birthday, Verdugo snapped his 0-for-14 skid with a first-inning that helped set the Red Sox off for their 25th victory of the season.

With family and friends in attendance at Fenway Park, Verdugo made sure to point around the park to where they were sitting as he trotted around the bases. Behind home plate, Verdugo had his mom and dad for the first time at Fenway Park since he was traded to the Red Sox. And in the first row of the Green Monster seats, sitting right next to the foul pole, was his best friend and his family, who had birthday signs made for the occasion.

“The last thing we want to do is lose,” Verdugo said. “Especially on my birthday, I just want to kind of celebrate it even more. The fact that we won, it’s already a positive thing. That’s the biggest thing, is just to win and for me personally in that first at-bat, just to kind of going through a little skid and have a good at- bat, get a pitch out over and drive it like that in front of my family that’s here and some friends, it was a very special moment for me. Very special.”

Verdugo’s last hit before Saturday came in his first at-bat on Tuesday against the A’s. It had been a cold May for the outfielder, who came into the game batting .226 with just one extra-base hit in the month. Verdugo said he was chasing pitches and trying to force things to happen. A player who typically wears his emotions, he was visibly frustrated with the results.

Saturday, there was no such frustration. It was a very happy birthday for Verdugo, who will enjoy Sunday’s day off and hope to pick up on his newfound momentum next week.

“I’ve got to give credit to my teammates and my hitting coaches and all the coaches really,” Verdugo said. “Everyone is just doing a really good job of trying to keep me in check and keep me feeling positive and just giving me that positive affirmation, ‘Hey man, you’ve got this, it’s a long year. we all know.’

“We go through ups and downs and just to see that your guys, your teammates, your staff, they all care about you and they see that you’re going through something but they want the best for you.”

How Xander Bogaerts helped Adam Ottavino finish key strikeout of Shohei Ohtani in Red Sox’ win

Steve Hewitt

Xander Bogaerts has done a little bit of everything for the Red Sox this season — from being one of their best hitters to providing reliable defense and being a leader in the clubhouse — and in Friday night’s win, the shortstop continued to come through in a rather unique way.

The Red Sox led 4-3 in the eighth, and Adam Ottavino faced a tall task in trying to protect it as he went up against Angels stars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Ottavino had a 2-2 count on Ohtani, who had homered in his previous at-bat, but the 35-year-old veteran recruited Bogaerts to help him put him away.

There was then a meeting at the mound, as catcher Christian Vazquez came out and Bogaerts joined.

“I asked what he thought and he thought I should do a slider there, so I did,” Ottavino said.

It worked. Ottavino threw Ohtani a slider and he went chasing for the strikeout. Ottavino turned around and pointed at Bogaerts to thank him for the pointer.

That’s not an uncommon tactic for Ottavino, who elicited help from other he’s played with, such as Troy Tulowitzki with the Rockies or D.J. LeMahieu with the Yankees.

“I have those conversations with lots of guys, especially those guys,” Ottavino said. “I mean, they’ve faced me a lot, so they kind of know what it’s like in the box against me, which is nice to hear their opinion. They’re not left-handed like Ohtani but still, they know the visual of my pitches and they’re veterans so they know a lot about the game, so getting their opinions is always going to help out. …

“Sometimes you hear it from a great player and it gives you confidence to throw the pitch with maybe a little more conviction.”

The strikeout of Ohtani was a big one, and it probably gave Ottavino some confidence as he went on to strike out Mike Trout to end a 1-2-3 eighth — much to the delight of an electric Fenway Park — before turning it over to Matt Barnes for the save.

For Ottavino, who’s been up and down as the Red Sox’ setup man for the first month and a half, Friday’s shutout inning could serve as a springboard. The veteran is still trying to do a better job of throwing first- pitch strikes, but the performance was a step in the right direction.

“I feel like I’m getting there,” Ottavino said. “I haven’t been pleased mostly with the way I’ve pitched this season but I’m starting to do the fundamental things a little better, and if I do that thenI like my chances. It was exciting (Friday) night to have that responsibility and to come through.”

Ottavino fuels Barnes

Ottavino has been especially impressed with Barnes, who continued his run as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. Friday’s save, his ninth in nine chances, was Barnes’ MLB-leading 12th perfect appearance of at least one inning as he struck out the side.

In 19 innings this season entering Saturday, Barnes has 33 strikeouts with just three walks, a credit to the veteran’s buy-in to attacking the strike zone and trusting his stuff.

“His stuff is there, it’s always been there but I think now he seems to clearly have a really good understanding of how his pitches work together and where to go with what (and) when,” Ottavino said. “He’s executing at a super high level. … It just feels like the game is over when he comes in.”

Ottavino loves seeing the success Barnes is having and is even getting his ear to drive him to keep going.

“I told him a week ago that he’s gotta get greedy in this situation,” Ottavino said. “Don’t let the foot off the gas just because it’s going easy right now. Put your foot on their neck and get greedy with it and see how far you can take it. It’s still a long season, but the start he’s off right now, you can dream a little bit on it and he just has to get greedy each and every time he’s out there.”

Red Sox injury updates: Christian Arroyo not ready for rehab games; Tanner Houck, feeling better

Steve Hewitt

Christian Arroyo’s left hand isn’t yet healed enough for him to play in rehab games, and it doesn’t seem like the Red Sox second baseman is on target to come off the injured list when he’s eligible early this week.

Manager Alex Cora said it didn’t go great for Arroyo during soft toss on Friday and wasn’t going to take live batting practice on Saturday as he still feels some pain in his left hand, which was hit by a pitch earlier this month.

“He’s still feeling it toward the end and you can tell it’s kind of like he’s babying it, whatever you want to call it, his swing through impact,” Cora said. “I don’t think he will be ready for a rehab game yet. I don’t think it’s going to take that long, either. I do believe probably toward the end of the week he’ll do that. But as of now we have to reassess that plan and go from there.

“I don’t think he’s going to take batting practice (Saturday) outside. Probably try the same thing. Get treatment and go back to tee work and start building again.”

Kiké Hernández, meanwhile, is still on track to return this week as he comes back from a hamstring injury. He was set to play two games for Triple-A Worcester this week, as the designated hitter on Saturday and center fielder on Sunday. If everything goes well, he should join the Red Sox on their upcoming road trip.

“It’s trending that way,” Cora said. “He did everything on the field, shagging in center, took ground balls at second, ran the bases so he feels good about himself, really good, So most likely the goal is for him to get a few at-bats to tell us how he feels and from there we’ll make a move.”

Garrett Whitlock was placed on the COVID-19-related injured list after experiencing side effects from a vaccine shot, similar to what dealt with this week. Colten Brewer was recalled to fill his spot.

Pitchers Tanner Houck (sore flexor muscle) and Connor Seabold (elbow inflammation) are both feeling better, Cora said, but neither are throwing yet.

* The Providence Journal

Birthday boy Alex Verdugo helps lead Red Sox rout of Angels

Bill Koch

You’ll forgive the average Red Sox fan for not being able to tell you about Steve Yerkes. You might have a more legitimate question about their credentials if they don’t know or Alex Verdugo.

All three men have now homered for Boston on their 25th birthdays. Yerkes did it in 1913, one of just six round-trippers he clubbed in 2,874 plate appearances. Strikeouts might be more common in 2021 than ever before, but make no mistake – we're not entering the second coming of the Dead Ball Era.

Pedroia was a Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and World Series champion by the time he accomplished the feat in 2009. You could make a comparison to Verdugo in terms of their kinetic energy – neither seems to stop moving, be it on the field or behind a microphone. It’s something the Red Sox have benefited from since the February 2020 trade that brought Verdugo from the Dodgers to Boston.

Saturday was a demolition from start to finish at Fenway Park, and Verdugo helped lead the way. This Red Sox shutout of the Angels by a 9-0 count saw two doubles apiece from Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero, a three-run homer from Xander Bogaerts and six strong innings from Martin Perez.

“It was extremely nice,” Verdugo said. “I won’t lie. Obviously the last week or so I’ve been pressing a little bit.”

Verdugo made contact on a changeup from Dylan Bundy and struck a pose. His shoulders went back into a relaxed position as the ball flew over the home bullpen and into the bleachers. It came to rest 427 feet away, and Verdugo pointed to two different sections of fans as he circled the bases.

“I felt like I was chasing results,” Verdugo said. “I felt like I wasn’t just going up there and having my at- bats and seeing pitches.

“It’s where you’re like auto-swinging or something. You’re just kind of trying to force something to happen instead of just letting it happen organically. That’s why I would get frustrated.”

Verdugo’s parents, Joe and Shelly, were among the contingent behind the plate. Other invited guests were perched atop the Green Monster with a close view of him playing center field. They saw a rocket from Bogaerts pass overhead in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run bomb toward the Mass Pike that made it a 7-0 lead.

“We needed a game like this to be able to rest some players, reset the bullpen,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

Verdugo entered on an 0-for-14 skid and was already set to have the next two days off. Boston expects to keep him out of the lineup for the series finale against Los Angeles on Sunday and will enjoy a scheduled day off Monday prior to a six-game road trip. Verdugo added a single later in the game, one of six Red Sox players to finish with two hits.

“I wasn’t staying back on the ball,” Verdugo said. “I wasn’t letting the ball travel. That’s the biggest thing for me.”

Perez has allowed just four earned runs over his last 22 1/3 innings, but this was his first victory of the season. The left-hander's 1.61 ERA in that span came opposite the worst run support in the Boston rotation. Perez received just 2.16 runs per nine innings through his first seven starts, and the Red Sox were 3-4 in those games.

“I think today everything came together,” Perez said. “The guys hit the ball good. Like I said to you guys before after my last game here – good things are coming.”

The Angels saw their first three batters reach safely and still couldn’t score in the top of the first. It was all downhill from there, as they managed only four hits. Perez, Phillips Valdez, Darwinzon Hernandez and Austin Brice combined on the shutout. Boston bettered last season’s win total in 19 fewer games.

“He’s giving us a chance,” Cora said. “We know the player – we like the player. We’re going to manage him the way we feel is convenient and productive for him.”

Yerkes plated the eventual clinching run in the , as the Red Sox walked off on the New York Giants in the eighth game. ’s plated Yerkes from third base and gave Boston the second of its nine championships in franchise history. Verdugo would enjoy free adult beverages in the Back Bay for the rest of his life – not just every future May 15 – if he manages the same.

RED SOX JOURNAL: Barnes continues to dominate hitters

Bill Koch

Matt Barnes was perfect again on Friday night.

It was his 12th such appearance in his 18 this season. The Red Sox closer fanned the side in order to finish a 4-3 victory over the Angels.

Fenway Park roared as Barnes burned through Anthony Rendon, Jared Walsh and on just 11 pitches. Rendon and Walsh went down swinging at fastballs while Upton chased a curveball that wound up in the dirt.

“He’s at 33 strikeouts and three walks — that's what you’re trying to do,” said Adam Ottavino, who worked a 1-2-3 top of the eighth. “His stuff is there. It’s always been there, but now he seems to clearly have a really good understanding of how his pitches work together and where to go with what when.”

Barnes walked a career-high 5.48 batters per nine innings in 2020. That number has plummeted to 1.42 walks per nine innings in 2021. Barnes has struck out more than half of the 65 batters he’s faced and allowed just six hits. He now has nine saves.

“I think maybe in the past you try to wait a guy like him out,” Ottavino said. “He’s really hard to hit, but you try to get into a good count and it gives you a better shot. Right now, he’s not allowing that strategy to play out at all. If you stand there, he’s going to throw you three strikes and you’re going to be out.”

Barnes allowed a three-run homer to Kyle Seager in a 6-5 victory over Seattle on April 23. Since then he’s been nearly flawless in eight appearances. Opposing hitters are 1-for-24 with no walks and 15 strikeouts.

“Usually you kind of feel like you have a secret,” Ottavino said. “I know something you don’t know and you’re in big trouble when you face me.

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“Right now, that’s how the hitters are — they're in big trouble when they face him.”

Crowd makes presence felt

Bobby Dalbec received a curtain call after his two-run homer on Friday night.

That one swing erased a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh and served as a reminder of the change in atmosphere from 2020. The 9,284 fans in the grandstands represented 25% capacity under current COVID- 19 restrictions, and they made their presence known.

“This building yesterday was fun,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It reminded me a lot of '07, '08, '18 — '19, too. People are getting into it.

“When we left the stadium, there were a lot of people outside. We’re getting back to normal.”

Boston’s official attendance of zero for the 31 home dates last season looks like something from another galaxy. The virus reduced the normally vibrant Back Bay into a quiet reminder of the toll it has taken on American society. The Red Sox began 2021 at 12% capacity and hope to reach sellout status by Aug. 1.

“Last year, I was telling the rookies, ‘This isn’t really it,’ ” Ottavino said. “The real thing is when the crowd gets involved and you have to channel that one way or the other, positive or negative, into your performance.

“Hopefully, the crowd just continues to get bigger and bigger as we go here.”

Imminent return?

Kiké Hernandez (right hamstring) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Hernandez was scheduled to serve as the designated hitter against the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park. He’s expected to play center field on Sunday and could join the Red Sox on their upcoming six-game road trip to face Toronto and Philadelphia.

“Yesterday he did everything on the field — shagging in center field, took ground balls at second, ran the bases,” Cora said. “He feels good about himself.”

Hernandez left after just one at-bat during the May 6 victory over Detroit. He doubled off the Green Monster and signaled for the training staff after moving to third base on an infield out by Alex Verdugo. Boston recalled Michael Chavis from the WooSox as Hernandez’s replacement.

Sidelined

The Red Sox reported a pair of injury setbacks ahead of Saturday’s first pitch.

Garrett Whitlock has been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. The right-hander reported side effects following his second vaccine shot. Colten Brewer was recalled from Triple-A Worcester.

Whitlock pitched the final three innings in Thursday’s 8-1 victory over Oakland, picking up his first career save. He’s posted a 1.77 ERA through 10 appearances as a Rule 5 Draft selection from the Yankees. Brewer has worked a lone inning thus far in 2021.

Christian Arroyo (left hand contusion) was limited to a second straight day of soft toss and tee work. Boston was hopeful the infielder would be able to take more aggressive batting practice as he recovers from a pair of recent hit-by-pitches.

“He’s not going to take batting practice today,” Cora said. “He’s still feeling it toward the end. You can tell.”

Arroyo managed just a .476 OPS over his last seven games. He was at .788 through his first 16, including seven doubles. Jonathan Arauz was recalled from the WooSox to bolster the Red Sox infield depth.

FRIDAY NIGHT: A meeting of the minds pays off for Sox

Bill Koch

Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino, Christian Vazquez and Xander Bogaerts held a pitcher’s mound conference at a critical point in Friday night's game against the Angels.

Boston clung to a one-run lead in the top of the eighth inning. The Angels' Shohei Ohtani was at the plate with Mike Trout on deck behind him. There is arguably no more dangerous combination in baseball at the moment.

Ottavino was soliciting input from two veteran teammates who know him well on how to approach Ohtani, who had homered to left field in his previous at-bat. Vazquez went back behind the plate and Bogaerts returned to shortstop prior to Ottavino’s pitch on 2-and-2. The right-hander snapped off his best slider dipping toward the dirt and Ohtani swung over the top for a third strike.

Vazquez threw the ball down to third base, beginning a customary trip around the horn. Ottavino walked off the back of the mound and briefly pointed toward Bogaerts in acknowledgment. The following strikeout of Trout and then a 1-2-3 top of the ninth from Matt Barnes clinched a 4-3 Red Sox victory at Fenway Park.

“We were just discussing what to throw, what our options were, what happened earlier in the game with Ohtani,” Ottavino said. “They all had a little bit of input. We had a several-pitch plan in case the first one didn’t work out.

“I asked what [Bogaerts] thought and he thought I should throw a slider there. I did and it obviously worked out. Obviously, I gave him the point.”

These are the small moments in a game in which teammates rely upon one another and trust is built. It was the first 1-2-3 inning for Ottavino in seven May appearances. It occurred in Boston’s 16th come-from- behind victory of the young season, as Bobby Dalbec smashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to put the Red Sox back on top.

“Bogey has seen Ohtani swing the bat through the years and he knows Adam,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He has faced him. He knows his stuff.

“Sometimes it’s just a friendly reminder of what you can do. Don’t second-guess yourself. Your stuff is that good.

“I don’t know what type of conversation it was but the fact that Adam trusts Bogey is good. They’ve only been teammates for a few months.”

Bogaerts and Vazquez are a combined 4-for-15 with two doubles and two strikeouts against Ottavino. All of those at-bats happened over the last two seasons while Ottavino was setting up Aroldis Chapman with the Yankees. January's trade brought Ottavino and prospect right-hander Franklin German to Boston for cash considerations.

“Getting their opinion is always going to help out,” Ottavino said. “In that moment, we all kind of know what options are on the table. I’m just looking to see what they have and maybe get a little boost and go with it.”

Ottavino debuted with St. Louis in 2010 and spent the bulk of his career with Colorado. He pitched for the Rockies from 2012-18 before leaving in free agency and enjoyed strong support from his middle infield. Troy Tulowitzki and D.J. LeMahieu — a future teammate in New York as well — were two of his primary sounding boards.

“Just asking what they’ve got,” Ottavino said. “Sometimes you hear it from a great player and it gives you the confidence to throw the pitch with maybe a little more conviction.”

Ottavino has worked to a 4.02 ERA in 18 appearances with the Red Sox. The hope is to see him evolve into a primary setup man for Barnes over the course of the season. Ottavino has retired just 11 of the 18 leadoff men he’s faced and thrown first-pitch strikes to only 47.9% of opposing hitters.

“I’m starting to do the fundamental things a little better,” Ottavino said. “If I do that, then I like my chances. It was exciting last night to have that responsibility and to come through.”

Ottavino has enjoyed success when he’s been able to find the strike zone. Per Statcast, he’s allowing an average exit velocity of just 80.8 mph — that's in the top 1% of the league. Ottavino ranks in the 96th percentile or better in hard-hit percentage and barrel percentage.

“I was happy I was able to throw first-pitch strikes yesterday,” Ottavino said. “I had to get that leadoff hitter [David Fletcher] out. I knew that going in with Ohtani and Trout coming up.

“I was pleased with it. I feel like I’m getting there.”

* MassLive.com

Alex Verdugo belts birthday home run in Boston Red Sox win over Angels; Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers also go deep

Christopher Smith

Alex Verdugo entered Boston’s game against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday hitless in his previous 14 at-bats and batting just .226 (12-for-53) with one extra-base hit during May.

“It’s his birthday,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora pointed out before the game. “I hope he has a great one today and tomorrow, we’ll give him tomorrow off.”

Verdugo celebrated his 25th birthday with a solo homer to right field in the first inning, giving Boston an early lead. The outfielder helped the Red Sox win 9-0 over the Angels at Fenway Park.

His blast went 427 feet and left his bat at 104.8 mph.

Verdugo enjoyed a career-best 24-game on-base streak that ended May 6.

He was scratched from the lineup that day before (May 5) because of lower back tightness. But Cora doesn’t think Verdugo struggles during May have anything to do with his back. He said pitchers have attacked Verdugo differently. Cora also mentioned Verdugo never has played a full 162-game schedule and he’s adjusting to the grind.

“It seems like he’s getting beat with fastballs inside. And changeups, he’s rolling over it,” Cora said before the game. “He’s been playing a lot, too.”

Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers also homered in the blowout.

Bogaerts belted a four-seam fastball from Angels starter Dylan Bundy over the Green Monster. The three- run blast went 446 feet with a 107.1 mph exit velocity. It Boston gave ahead 7-0 in the fifth.

Devers’ homer went 408 feet to right-center field in the seventh inning, putting Boston ahead 9-0.

Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero each doubled twice.

Dalbec’s two-run double put Boston ahead 3-0 in the fourth inning. Cordero followed with an RBI double, making it 4-0.

Dalbec again doubled in the sixth — and again scored when Cordero doubled.

Red Sox starting pitcher Martín Pérez earned the victory. He went 6 scoreless innings and pitched around three hits and four walks. He struck out five. Three of his four walks came in the first two innings.

He improved to 1-2 with a 3.40 ERA in eight starts.

Boston Red Sox’s Alex Verdugo was ‘pointing everywhere’ during home run trot because he had special visitors at Fenway for birthday

Christopher Smith

Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo celebrated his 25th birthday with a 427-foot home run to right field during the first inning Saturday. He went 2-for-4 to help lead the Red Sox 9-0 over the Angels.

Verdugo pointed to different spots in the stands as he rounded the bases during his home run trot. His parents were at Fenway Park to watch him play there for the first time since he was traded to the Red Sox last year.

His mom and dad were sitting back behind home plate.

“And then I had my best friend and his family, I put them out there on the Monster,” Verdugo said. “And they were right there by the left field foul pole (with) signs.”

Yes, those people holding “Happy Birthday Alex” signs atop the Green Monster were Verdugo’s friends.

“So if I hit the home run and I was pointing everywhere, that’s why. I was trying to make sure I got my mom, my dad, my best friend and his family in left,” Verdugo said.

Verdugo entered the game hitless in his previous 14 at-bats but he connected on a changeup from Angels starter Dylan Bundy.

“For me personally in that first at-bat — going through a little skid — and have a good at-bat, get a pitch out, over and drive it like that in front of my family that’s here and some friends, it was a very special moment for me,” he said. “Very special.”

Verdugo has been one of Boston’s top hitters since arriving in Boston last year. But he was batting just .226 (12-for-53) with one extra-base hit during May entering Saturday.

“I wasn’t staying back on the ball. I wasn’t letting the ball travel,” he said. “And that’s the biggest thing for me. When I let the fastball travel and get deep on me, I can just use my hands, catch it deep and shoot it to left. And then it puts me in a better spot for the curveballs, the changeups, all the offspeed pitches. .. You’ve got to go up there and win each pitch. Even if a pitcher gets a strike, that doesn’t mean you’re automatically swinging the next pitch. It’s just see the ball, let it get deep and good things will happen.”

Boston Red Sox lineup: Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez all have homered vs. Dylan Bundy who will start for Angels on Saturday

Christopher Smith

Marwin Gonzalez will lead off for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday against Los Angeles Angels right- handed starter Dylan Bundy (0-4, 5.03 ERA).

The Red Sox and Angels will play at 4:10 p.m. at Fenway Park. Boston won 4-3 in the first game of the three-game series Friday.

Several Red Sox hitters have enjoyed success against Bundy, who pitched from 2012-19 with the .

Gonzalez is 4-for-8 with one double in his career vs. the righty. Xander Bogaerts is 10-for-33 (.303) with two homers and three doubles against him.

Rafael Devers is just 4-for-18 (.222) and J.D. Martinez (.125) is 2-for-16 but they each have homered against Bundy. Martinez also has doubled against him.

Christian Vázquez is 6-for-20 (.300) with one double against Bundy.

Left-hander Martín Pérez (0-2, 4.01 ERA) will start for Boston. David Fletcher, Mike Trout, Justin Upton and José Iglesias all have homered in their careers vs. Perez.

The Red Sox might have a roster move before first pitch. Reliever Garrett Whitlock is “under the weather” following his second vaccination shot and could be placed on the COVID-related IL. Colten Brewer is likely to take Whitlock’s place on the active roster Saturday.

Boston Red Sox lineup:

1. Marwin Gonzalez 2B

2. Alex Verdugo CF

3. J.D. Martinez DH

4. Xander Bogaerts SS

5. Rafael Devers 3B

6. Christian Vázquez C

7. Hunter Renfroe RF

8. Bobby Dalbec 1B

9. Franchy Cordero LF

Pitching matchup: LHP Martín Pérez (0-2, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Dylan Bundy (0-4, 5.03 ERA)

Boston Red Sox roster moves: Garrett Whitlock ‘under the weather’ after second COVID shot; Colten Brewer recalled from Worcester to take his spot

Christopher Smith

Boston Red Sox righty Garrett Whitlock is feeling “under the weather” after his second COVID-19 vaccine shot, manager Alex Cora said Saturday. Boston placed him on the COVID-related IL.

Righty Colten Brewer was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot on the active roster vs. the Angels on Saturday. Boston and Los Angeles will play at 4:10 p.m. at Fenway Park.

It’s likely Whitlock will spend only one or two days on the COVID-related IL.

Brewer has pitched in one game for Worcester so far this year, allowing one run and one hit in one inning. The 28-year-old posted a 4.59 ERA, 5.14 FIP and 1.72 WHIP in 60 outings (80 ⅓ innings) for Boston in 2019-20 combined.

Whitlock, a 24-year-old righty, has a 1.77 ERA, 2.91 FIP and 0.98 WHIP in 10 relief outings (20 ⅛ innings) for Boston this year. Boston selected him in December’s Rule 5 Draft from the .

Boston Red Sox injuries: Tanner Houck feels ‘normal’; Christian Arroyo won’t take BP on Saturday

Christopher Smith

Pitching prospects Tanner Houck and Connor Seabold haven’t started throwing yet but they are “both feeling better,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday.

The Red Sox shut down Houck earlier this month because of a sore flexor muscle.

Seabold began the minor league season on Triple-A Worcester’s IL because of elbow inflammation. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom described it as “minor soreness.”

“Not throwing yet but the reports, everything I read yesterday, Tanner feels quote-unquote normal,” Cora said. “But obviously he has to go through everything, the rehab. And the doctors will determine how normal he is. But the fact that he’s feeling that way, it’s a positive. Same thing with Connor down there in Fort Myers. He’s getting treatment but nothing as far as baseball activities yet.”

Arroyo won’t take BP

Arroyo (left hand contusion) participated in soft toss drills Friday but “it didn’t go great,” Cora said.

Arroyo initially was scheduled to take batting practice Saturday, but he won’t.

“He’s still feeling it towards the end,” Cora said. “And you can tell. He’s kind of like easy, like babying, you want to call it, his swing through impact. So I don’t think he’ll be ready for a rehab game yet. I don’t think it’s going to take that long, either. I do believe probably toward the end of the week he’ll do that. As of now, we have to reset that plan and go from there.”

Arroyo will receive more treatment Saturday, then likely hit off the Tee.

Kiké Hernández to rehab with WooSox

Kiké Hernández (right hamstring strain) will begin his rehab assignment for the on Saturday. He is leading off and serving as the DH. He then is expected to play center field Sunday. He could be activated from the IL as soon as Tuesday.

Whitlock ‘under the weather’

Garrett Whitlock “is under the weather” after his second COVID vaccine shot. And so the Red Sox have placed him on the COVID-related IL. Colten Brewer will take Whitlock’s spot on the active roster Saturday against the Angels.

Why did Boston Red Sox’s Adam Ottavino point at Xander Bogaerts after striking out Shohei Ohtani on Friday? He explains

Christopher Smith

Adam Ottavino threw a perfect eighth inning against the top of the Angels’ batting order to help the Red Sox win 4-3 on Friday.

The righty retired leadoff hitter David Fletcher on a groundout to second base, then struck out both Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

Ohtani struck out swinging on a slider down, then Ottavino pointed at shortstop Xander Bogaerts. But why?

“We had a little meeting (on the mound),” Ottavino said. “(Catcher Christian) Vázquez came out. I think it was two strikes already, yeah. And Bogey came in. He always comes in to meetings. We were discussing what to throw, what our options were, what had happened earlier in the game with Ohtani. And they all had a little bit of input. We had a several-pitch plan in case the first one didn’t work out. Bogey, I asked what he thought and he thought I should throw a slider there. So I did and it worked out. Obviously I gave him the point. But I’ve been doing that a long time in my career.”

Ottavino, who pitched for the Rockies from 2012-18, would ask Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for his input on which pitches to throw. He also did the same with DJ LeMahieu who he played with in both Colorado and New York.

“Sometimes you hear it from a great player and it gives you the confidence to throw the pitch with a little bit more conviction,” Ottavino said.

He said he has those types of conversations with veteran hitters all the time.

“Especially those guys (Bogaerts and Vázquez). They’ve faced me a lot,” Ottavino said. “So they kind of know what it’s like in the box against me, which is nice to hear their opinion. They’re not left-handed like Ohtani but still, they know the visual of my pitches. And they’re veterans and they know a lot about the game. So getting their opinion is always going to help out. In that moment, we kind of all know what options are on the table. But I’m just looking to see what they have and maybe get a little boost and go with it.”

Boston Red Sox’s Bobby Dalbec studied videos of Jimi Hendrix, other greats on YouTube to learn guitar in a few months during COVID shutdown

Christopher Smith

Red Sox rookie Bobby Dalbec grew up in a music family. His parents met at a Seattle radio station and his father Tim Dalbec, a drummer, is vice president of promotions at Atlantic Records.

Tim bought Bobby a Traveler Guitar for Christmas 2019.

“I kind of just have always wanted to (learn),” Dalbec said. “I picked up piano by myself that previous offseason. So I’d kind of just mess around on the piano and learn just little licks of songs or parts of songs. That was fun. And it kind of got me through that offseason.”

Dalbec said he “messed around” with his Traveler Guitar a couple times before heading to spring training in 2020.

“Then I went out in Fort Myers and bought an acoustic guitar and did that,” Dalbec said. “After spring training ended, I ended up getting a Fender Stratocaster, an electric guitar, and just started playing that. I started learning songs on YouTube and what not. I kind of figured out how the guitar works. And then I would just kind of try to learn stuff by ear and just mess around on it.”

The coronavirus outbreak suspended spring training March 12, 2020. Dalbec returned home and the hours he spent learning the guitar increased.

“I would play pretty much every day during that first part of quarantine,” he said.

He said he watched YouTube videos of his favorite musicians and paid attention to how they play.

“Like Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer and Stevie Ray Vaughan and those guys,” Dalbec said. “They all kind of have their thumb over it. They wrap their thumb around the guitar. And that was just easier for me since my hands are so big. And so I can mess around and do more embellishments on chords and what not. I played a lot — a lot that first month and kind of got more comfortable with it.”

Dalbec brought a guitar to the alternate training site in Pawtucket when the 2020 season finally resumed in July.

Teammate Kyle Hart said Dalbec hung out in his hotel room most nights playing guitar.

“He learns a new (song) every day,” Hart said on MassLive.com’s The Fenway Rundown last August. “He loves John Mayer. Loves Pearl Jam. He’s always trying to learn an intro or solo.”

Dalbec said learning to play the piano a little bit helped him learn the guitar.

“I just think practicing and playing the piano made it a little bit easier to go to guitar just with the left-hand, right-hand separation kind of stuff,” Dalbec said.

Dalbec bought his dad a Roland electric drum kit when he initially signed with the Red Sox after being drafted in the fourth round in June 2016 out of the University of Arizona.

The two now jam together. Dalbec said his dad thinks he’s rusty on the drums but he isn’t.

“We just got a headphone splitter and I would plug in my amp into my multi-effect processor,” Dalbec said. “And just find a sound. And he would find a sound on the Roland. He’d just play something or we’d play along with songs that we like. Like Tom Petty stuff or anything along the lines of that. Nothing crazy. It’s fun.”

Dalbec took a couple guitar lessons in elementary school and he “wasn’t having it.” But the thought of learning the guitar someday remained in the back of his mind.

Dalbec said he loves learning solos.

“I love learning the Tennessee Whiskey solo,” he said. “I’ll learn that stuff and then I’lll just make a loop progression of those chords and just play with whatever comes to my head, I guess, And just kind of mess around like that within the scales. I like learning a lot of Grateful Dead stuff, licks. I’ve been wanting to learn some Van Halen licks lately.”

Might he start a band after his baseball career?

“I’m not sure,” he said. “I kind of just like playing for me. I’ll jam with some friends and stuff.”

He even makes some music on his laptop.

“I have the mini keyboard with some drum pads and I’ll just make a simple beat and add some layers. And just kind of jam over it and see what happens. It’s kind of fun for me.”

Dalbec ended a 0-for-27 slump with a two-hit game in Baltimore on May 8. Since then, he’s 9-for-25 (.360) with a .407 on-base percentage, .840 slugging percentage, three home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs in his past seven games.

He said a talk with manager Alex Cora toward the end of the slump helped. He also spoke with Dustin Pedroia who went 10-for-55 (.182 batting average) in April as a rookie in 2017. Pedroia went on to win AL Rookie of the Year.

Dalbec said he needed “to chill out a little bit.”

“I think I was just trying to do too much whether I was actively trying to do it or not,” Dalbec said. “That’s kind of just what happens sometimes. So I’ve got to be more conscious if I feel myself getting to that kind of spot. So I think I’ll be able to tackle that now. So just gotta stick with it day by day.”

Dalbec has the potential to be a who also reaches base at a high rate.

“I know I’m going to strike out, too,” Dalbec said. “But I definitely think I can be a complete hitter and that’s what I’m working toward. ... It’s just getting comfortable.”

He said he had the support of everyone on the team while slumping.

“Everybody came up to me and was like, ‘Dude, you’re going to be fine. It’s just part of it,’” Dalbec said. “I think I could have pulled myself out of it a little bit earlier mentally. But next time that happens, I have a better way to handle stuff like that. Just kind of stick with what I’m doing now and just continue to have quality at-bats and barrel the ball.”

* The Worcester Telegram

Dustin Pedroia, offer advice for current WooSox players

Joe McDonald

WORCESTER — Developing in can be like quicksand if a player is not 100 percent committed to the process.

It’s very involved to become a player. It doesn’t matter if a player is considered an elite prospect, or late-round pick who needs to grind his way through the system to maybe one day realize the ultimate dream of playing in the big leagues.

Some players are built, or have the experience, to deal with the pressures of being tagged as a top prospect in an organization, while others quickly fade away. Some have the ability to fly under the radar given the organization they play for, while others, like in Boston, have no chance at anonymity.

In the last 20 years, the Red Sox have enjoyed great success scouting, drafting, signing and developing young players who eventually helped the team win World Series titles in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018.

Trot Nixon, , Dustin Pedroia, , Jonathan Papelbon, Will Middlebrooks, , , Xander Bogaerts, , Christian Vazquez and Jackie Bradley Jr. are all perfect examples of the Red Sox’ development system.

Now, there’s a new crop of prospects, and many of them will be on display for the Worcester Red Sox this season at Polar Park.

So far, we’ve seen the talents of Jarren Duran, Jeter Downs, , Marcus Wilson, Tanner Houck and Connor Seabold for the WooSox. There’s a learning process both on and off the field, and they need to learn how to handle the process well before earning an opportunity to play in Boston.

Red Sox fans are paying close attention, especially to the development of Duran, and given his early-season success, the Nation want him in Boston right now. However, it’s not that simple. Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom believes the Triple-A level is an important step in a player’s development, so it’s a safe bet (barring an injury in Boston) that Duran will be here for an extended time.

Eyes on Jarren Duran

Meanwhile, Duran only wants to focus on his craft as he tries to ignore the fact he’s considered one of the top prospects in the organization.

“I kind of like being a non-prospect, because people don’t expect a lot out of you,” Duran said. “Not being a prospect to start, you work your butt off as much as you can. Things come your way with hard work. I just worked hard, did the right things, played hard and do what I need to do.”

Life can be amazing for successful major league players. It’s a privilege to play in Boston, or any MLB team. A player needs to be 100 percent committed, and it begins at the minor league levels. Players quickly learn about failure during a long and arduous season.

Even the best players will go a stretch without getting a hit, and it can be a huge mental strain. Only those who handle it properly have a better chance of handling those ups and downs. Duran began his Triple-A career 0 for 11 with six strikeouts. He made a few mental adjustments and has been dialed in at the plate, especially on the team’s current homestand. He was 5 for 12 with three home runs and five RBIs in the first three games at Polar Park.

“Just getting out of my own way. I’m just not trying to do too much,” he said. “I have a great team behind me. I don’t have to put more pressure on myself than I need to. I have a great group of guys behind me, so all I have to do is do what I can do to help the team win.”

One of the hardest things for any young player in Boston is dealing with everything that comes with being in Boston. It starts in the minors, and all the best have learned from it, including Pedroia.

“So all the stuff I learned in the minor leagues prepared me for the craziness to get to Boston,” Pedroia said. “Once I got there I struggled when I started, and I leaned on the struggles I had the first couple of months at Triple A, and that helped me get through it.”

Commitment needed

Middlebrooks also was considered a top prospect in the organization. He was touted as the next great third baseman, and eventually he helped the Red Sox win a World Series in 2013. His path wasn’t easy, and there were times when he doubted himself, but he never thought of himself as a can’t-miss prospect.

“It wasn’t anything I took for granted,” Middlebrooks said. “I knew I was good growing up, but I never thought I would ever be a top prospect. I just wanted to work my ass off and let everything fall in place.”

At the time he made his major league debut May 2, 2012, he quickly became the everyday third baseman for the Red Sox. Before suffering a season-ending wrist fracture on Aug. 10, Middlebrooks hit .288 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs.

“I credit the Red Sox coaching. I felt I had some of the best coaches coming up,” Middlebrooks said, while mentioning current WooSox manager Billy McMillon and coach Bruce Crabbe, along with former PawSox manager and Gary DiSarcina.

“There was just a wealth of knowledge and information I was able to get from those coaches. I honestly felt they truly cared about my success and not just their job,” Middlebrooks said. “Once I started to realize how much they cared, that pushed me even more to work harder, and almost make them proud like a father figure.

“There’s obviously a lot of pressure once you get tagged a top prospect of an organization like the Boston Red Sox. That pressure to perform, even if you’re not in the big leagues yet, people expect you to perform like a big leaguer at whatever level you’re playing. Not only the fans, but with the organization and your teammates you’re held to a higher standard, which was a good thing for me.”

Middlebrooks is a born leader, and he credits his football career for helping hone those skills. During his career he enjoyed having the responsibility and added pressure to perform. Sometimes being your own biggest critic helps a player through the trials of minor league baseball.

Learning to fail

“The hardest thing for me was learning how to fail,” Middlebrooks said. “I had to learn how to fail the right way. I had my struggles here and there in the minor leagues, but not that bad. I got to the big leagues and had some injuries and had to figure out how to take care of my body. I had to figure out how to play hurt because the team needed me to. That’s not abnormal. That’s just how it is if you’re a big league player. They rely on you to play every day. If you’re hurt consistently, you’re going to lose your job, and I didn’t want to lose my job, so I tried to play hurt, and that’s tough to do at the highest level.

All of it goes back to the pressure to perform.

Middlebrooks was lights out when he made his major league debut, but due to injuries and inconsistencies, he was sent back to Triple A in 2013. That’s when DiSarcina, a former major leaguer, gave Middlebrooks some much-needed advice, which is pretty standard at that level: It’s easy part is to get to the big leagues. The tough part is staying there.

“It just showed me how tough it really is. The saying, ‘It’s really hard to get to the big leagues, it’s even harder to stay’ is one of the truer things that was ever said to me,” Middlebrooks said. “You work your ass off to get there, but once you leave the minor leagues, and you’re in the show, there are hundreds of kids behind you that are doing the same thing you were, so everybody’s coming for you. You’re just not competing with yourself and other teams, it’s a competition within your organization to keep your job.”

Properly handing the off-field commitments is important, too. Players like Nixon, Pedroia, Youkilis, Middlebrooks and Betts all understood that and were closely involved in the community and with the media.

“Not every organization, not every city is like Boston,” Middlebrooks said. Fans “live and breathe the game, and I felt it was important for me to be connected with fans, because Boston fans are honestly what makes Red Sox baseball great. The history is there, obviously, but the fans and the passion they bring to the game is what makes it special, so why not give back.”

Minor league players pay attention to the roster moves, injuries and what the parent club is doing. That can be a distraction and have a negative effect on anyone’s career. Middlebrooks has some advice for these players in Worcester.

“Not get ahead of yourself. You’re so close to your dream, you’re so close to everything you’ve worked for your entire life, but if you’re not in the moment, you won’t get there,” Middlebrooks said. “You have to take it day by day. You lose focus of your work, your process, everything that has gotten you to that point, when you get that close you tend to lose sight of the process.”

The best of the best players in the majors are consistent in everything they do. There are countless examples of young players — at every level — called up, produce early but then struggle, and you never hear of them again.

* RedSox.com

Verdugo gets party started in Red Sox romp

Ian Browne

BOSTON -- Saturday was Alex Verdugo 25th birthday, and the Red Sox celebrated with a day-long party on the lawn at Fenway Park.

Fittingly, Verdugo was the first to take part in the festivities, snapping an 0-for-14 slump by belting a Statcast-projected 427-foot homer into the bleachers in right field in the bottom of the first.

By the end of the day, the Red Sox were in possession of a 9-0 victory over the Angels that had Verdugo in even more of a mood to celebrate with his mom, dad, best friend and others who made the trip to Boston to watch him perform.

“It’s amazing. The last thing we want to do is lose -- especially on my birthday,” said Verdugo. “Now I just want to kind of celebrate it even more. The fact that we won, it’s already a positive thing. That’s the biggest thing. And for me personally in that first at-bat, just to kind of be going through a little skid and have a good at-bat, get a pitch out over and drive it like that in front of my family that’s here and some friends, it was a very special moment for me.”

Verdugo didn’t forget those who are most special to him. After he crossed home plate, he first pointed to his parents seated behind home plate. And then he twisted around and waved up to the Monster Seats, where his best friend and family were sitting.

The best part about the home run for Verdugo -- a notoriously emotional player -- is that it relaxed him and made him forget about a recent rut that included just two hits in 24 at-bats, none for extra bases.

“It was big,” said Verdugo. “I can’t stress that enough. It helped my shoulders, helped me all relax and just kind of have fun again.”

Fun was the operative word of this sun-splashed Saturday at Fenway.

Aside from Verdugo, nobody enjoyed the day more than Martín Pérez. The vereran left-hander came in winless in seven starts this season and hadn’t won a game at Fenway Park since joining the Red Sox in 2020.

Both those droughts came to a satisfying end for Pérez, something nobody could have seen coming in a wobbly first frame (19 pitches, nine strikes), which was aided greatly when Shohei Ohtani ran into an out at second base when he thought he had a double into the left-field corner but didn’t see his teammate Taylor Ward still standing on second base.

Pérez had actually pitched well in his previous three starts but didn’t get much in the way of run support. He got plenty in this one.

“I think today everything came together,” said Pérez. “Me [pitching], the guys hit the ball good, and like I said to you guys before, my last game here, good things are coming and now we see it. Just need to stay focused and do what we’ve been doing.

“We’re playing good baseball and the game before, I didn’t have the support, but I’m here just to go out there and compete and give a chance for my team to win. I’m not here to win 30 games. I’m here to help the team to make the playoffs. That’s my goal.”

While this was win No. 1 for Pérez, it was the 25th for the Red Sox in 41 games this season, allowing them to surpass their total of 24 in the 60-game season of ’20.

Even with Verdugo’s early homer and Pérez’s strong opening, the game was 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth, when Bobby Dalbec was the first to loosen up the proceedings with a sky-scraping, two-run double (46-degree launch angle) that had an expected batting average of .010 and just went over the outstretched glove of leaping left fielder Justin Upton in front of the Green Monster.

While Dalbec had spent the previous couple of days busting out of his slump, it was Franchy Cordero’s turn to do so on Saturday. The left fielder, who is in a fight to keep his roster spot with Kiké Hernández due back next week, busted out of his 0-for-17 dryspell with two RBI doubles.

“A few things in batting practice [for Cordero], I’m glad it translated into the game,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “It feels like he let it go. He was ready on time and put some good swings on it. Obviously you saw the athlete after that -- he crushes two balls and he’s flying around to get the doubles. I’m glad the bottom part of the lineup contributed, and that’s what we envisioned. These guys should do their part, and I think overall this was the best game of the season for us.”

Then there is Xander Bogaerts, who rarely slumps and instead just continues to rake. The star shortstop put the icing on Verdugo’s birthday cake by mauling a three-run shot that went over everything in left field and onto Lansdowne Street to make it 7-0. The ninth homer of the season from Bogaerts had a projected distance of 446 feet, his second longest since Statcast started in 2015.

“It’s just a different sound off the bat,” said Cora. “They attack him with breaking balls early in the game and he puts the ball in play, then he gets the double. But there he gets a fastall. It looked like it was middle- middle and he didn’t miss it.”

So, Verdugo, how was that nine-inning birthday bash?

“It was extremely nice, I won’t lie,” Verdugo said.

Notes: Ottavino's resurgence; Barnes dealing

Ian Browne

BOSTON -- The bridge to closer Matt Barnes looks like it is finally getting sturdier.

That’s because the key to the success of that bridge, veteran righty setup man Adam Ottavino, is starting to regain his footing with the Red Sox.

Ottavino was never better than on Friday night, when with a 4-3 lead in the eighth, he mowed through the top three hitters in the Angels’ batting order -- including Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout -- on 18 pitches.

The key for Ottavino was first-pitch strike to all three hitters.

“I was happy I was able to throw first-pitch strikes yesterday, and had to get that leadoff hitter out,” Ottavino said before Saturday’s game against the Angels. “I knew that going in, with Ohtani and Trout coming up, so I was pleased with it. I feel like I'm getting there. I haven't been pleased mostly with the way I’ve pitched this season, but I'm starting to do the fundamental things a little better. And if I do that, then I like my chances. And it was exciting last night to have that responsibility and to come through.”

Ottavino was at his low point on May 2 in , when he couldn’t hold the lead in the eighth inning. He got just two outs that day, walking two and allowing three runs (two earned). At the time, his ERA was 5.40 ERA.

In his six appearances since that game, he has a 1.59 ERA while allowing one run.

For Ottavino, it has been a matter of getting back to the basics.

“I think I'm likely still below 50 percent on first-pitch strikes this season, so those are basics that I've known since I was a little kid,” said Ottavino. “And I'm 35 and still can't sometimes execute it the way I want to so. The key is first-pitch strikes, obviously getting the leadoff hitter out, basically making them hit my stuff, not nibbling too much. Fundamental stuff that I’ve been working hard each and every year to make my pitches better and better.”

With the benefit of hindsight, Ottavino thinks he might have been pressing a bit, which isn’t unusual for someone when they join a new team.

“I think it's about time to trust them and instead of trying to be perfect sometimes,” said Ottavino. “Maybe I came out of the gate trying to be a little too perfect. So just trying to play basic fundamental baseball now and get ahead, stay ahead and let my stuff take care of the rest.”

Barnes at ‘super high level’

For the Red Sox, it has been gratifying to see Barnes take his game to the highest level in his first full season as a closer.

It isn’t just that he is saving games. It’s the way he is carving up opponents in a near-surgical way. His latest display of dominance was needing just 11 pitches to strike out the side -- all swinging -- to end Friday’s 4-3 win.

In 19 innings, Barnes has three walks and 33 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .097 against him.

“His stuff is there, it’s always been there, but I think now he seems to clearly have a really good understanding of how his pitches work together and where to go with what and when,” said Ottavino. “He’s executing at a super high level. I don’t want to compare it to anything in my career. I’ve had stretches where I’ve felt unhittable like that, but he’s doing it in the here and now right in front of us and it’s awesome to see. It just feels like the game is over when he comes in.”

What’s up with Verudgo?

In his last six games, Alex Verdugo, who turned 25 on Saturday, has only two hits in 24 at-bats, and took an 0-for-14 drought into the game. Over that span, his batting average has gone from .311 to .273.

“Little bit, I don’t [want] to say pull happy because he never tries to pull the ball, but it seems like he’s getting beat with fastballs inside, and changeups he’s rolling over,” said manager Alex Cora. “He’s been playing a lot, too. Tomorrow we’ll give him off and Monday [is a team off-day], and he’ll be ready for Tuesday. But I think it’s part of the grind.”

Arroyo could be a while

While the Red Sox still expect Kiké Hernández (strained right hamstring) to be activated on Tuesday, Christian Arroyo (left wrist contusion) will take a bit longer.

Arroyo, who got smoked on the wrist by two pitches in the last few weeks, tried to take batting practice on Friday and it didn’t go well.

“It didn't go great so he's not going to take batting practice today. He's still feeling it toward the end [of the swing] and you can tell it's kind of like he's babying it, whatever you want to call it, his swing through impact,” said Cora. “I don't think he will be ready for a rehab game yet. I don't think it's going to take that long, either. As of now, we have to reassess the plan and we’ll go from there.”

Whitlock to COVID-19 IL

For the second time this week, the Red Sox put a pitcher on the Covid-related injured list due to side effects from being vaccinated. For Saturday’s game, it was righty reliever Garrett Whitlock. Earlier this week, it was Nick Pivetta, who was off the roster for just one day and pitched well in his scheduled start on Friday. Colten Brewer was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to replace Whitlock on the roster.

Jeter Downs breaks out with three hits

Nick Trujillo

Jeter Downs busted out of his cold spell with a big performance in Worcester’s 10-5 win over Syracuse on Saturday.

The Red Sox No. 2 prospect launched a towering home run and recorded his first three-hit performance of the season, finishing 3-for-4, including a double, three RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base.

Downs, the main piece in the Mookie Betts trade between Boston and the Dodgers, had scuffled in the batter’s box through the first two weeks of the season. The speedy middle infielder started the year 6-for- 34, hitting .176 coming into Saturday with just one extra-base hit, a double on May 7.

“He’s been working really hard with our hitting coaches and nobody is exempt from thinking too much when you start to struggle,” said Paul Abbott, the WooSox pitching coach. “I think he just needed to get comfortable and get his mind right, and then we’ll see some things that we’re expecting to see from him.”

The 22-year-old’s breakout day got off to a hot start when he crushed his first homer of the year in the bottom of the second; a high-flying solo shot off Syracuse starter Jerad Eickhoff that cut the WooSox deficit to one run.

His second hit was a single that deflected off third basemen Cody Bohanek’s glove, and then he used his wheels to create chaos on the basepaths. Downs went to second on the deflection and caused an errant throw from Bohanek, which scored the game-tying run and moved Downs to third. He scored two batters later, on Jack Lopez’s RBI double.

“It’s a big weapon, when you can turn a single into a double or a double into a triple,” said Abbott about Downs’ speed. “He’s a very exciting young player and it’s just a matter of him getting going so we can see all that excitement he can bring.”

Downs’ second double of the season capped a five-run seventh inning for the WooSox. Red Sox No. 3 prospect Jarren Duran started the inning off with an RBI double to right field to break a 5-5 tie. Following a run-scoring sac fly from third basemen Yairo Muñoz and an RBI single from outfielder Marcus Wilson, Downs drove a ball into the right-center gap.

Two runs scored on the liner that one-hopped the wall in right-center. He almost ended up on third but was thrown out by Mets catcher Deivy Grullón trying to swipe the extra base bag after the throw went home.

“He’s just an ultra-talented player,” said Abbott. “When you got two guys in your lineup like Duran and Downs, that’s pretty exciting to see. These last three games have been an example of what we can see from them.”

The Colombia native raised his slash line to .237/.326/.368 following the seven-total-base night. In 2019, Downs showed the power and speed mix he put on display Saturday, racking up 35 doubles, 24 homers, and 24 stolen bases in 119 games.

Downs owns a career OPS of .813 over 1311 Minor League plate appearances and has swiped 73 bases in his four-year pro career. With an MLB ETA of 2021, Downs could form a formidable middle infield with the red-hot Xander Bogaerts sometime in the near future.

* WEEI.com

How the Red Sox' second base situation is shaping up

Rob Bradford

It hasn't exactly resembled the days of rolling out Dustin Pedroia almost each and every day. The Red Sox' second base position is now officially a group effort.

Heading into Saturday Christian Arroyo has played 21 games at the position, with Marwin Gonzalez totaling 14 and Enrique Hernandez sitting at six. Now Michael Chavis is in the mix, with both Arroyo and Hernandez on the injured list.

It's a dynamic that doesn't figure to be changing any time soon.

Arroyo's progress from his injured hand hasn't been along the lines of the path the Red Sox had hoped, with the second baseman still having some difficulty swinging a bat.

"It didn't go great so he's not going to take batting practice today," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora regarding Arroyo's injury. "He's still feeling it toward the end and you can tell it's kind of like he's babying it, whatever you want to call it, his swing through impact. I don't think he will be ready for a rehab game yet. I don't think it's going to take that long, either. I do believe probably toward the end of the week he'll do that. But as of now we have to reassess that plan and go from there. I don't think he's going to take batting practice today outside. Probably try the same thing. Get treatment and go back to tee work and start building again."

The good news is that Hernandez, who has primarily played centerfield, is likely to join the team when it hits the road next week. He served as Worcester's designated hitter Saturday, while planning to play in the field Sunday.

Offensively, the Red Sox are middle of the pack at the second base spot, totaling a combined OPS of .698 and .242 batting average.

Defensively, the collection of second basemen have been solid, turning the third-most double plays, while boasting the seventh-best fielding percentage and No. 13 zone rating.

It is part of an overall defense that Cora has been happy with to this point.

"We work hard. We’re still working hard," the manager said. "Our information department, they send the information out, I’m locked in on that and we’ve been making adjustments throughout the season. We’re very pleased, overall in the outfield it’s been solid. I know guys like to give JD, they get on him because supposedly he’s not a good outfielder but right now he’s plus-one defensively in left field in defensive runs saved so he’s not that bad. He’s actually better than some of the good ones. Renfroe what he’s done so far has been amazing, obviously Alex and Enrique are solid, Xander for some reason the metrics never help him out and he hasn’t been outstanding but he’s solid i always say whatever he touches turns into outs and that’s good. Early in the season his arm was a little bit iffy but now he’s at full strength and you can see him making plays, three second basemen have been amazing. Marwin, Christian and Kiké. Bobby has been better lately and Marwin at first has been plus. Raffy he’s been solid. You look at the numbers and compare him to some of the good ones and we’re very happy. Christian he’s leading the in defensive runs saved and second in pitch framing. So overall we’re very pleased with the way they’re playing defense and we can get better. We’re just a good baseball team."

* BostonSportsJournal.com

Final: Red Sox 9, Angels 0

Sean McAdam

Sufficiently recovered from their recent offensive downturn, the Red Sox exploded for 12 hits -- including three homers -- to blank the Los Angeles Angels, 9-0, their third straight victory.

The Sox got a three-run shot from Xander Bogaerts for the game's big blow and solo homers from Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers. Bobby Dalbec and Franchy Cordero weighed in from the bottom of the order, with each contributing two doubles and two RBI.

Martin Perez earned his first victory of the season and his first victory at Fenway since joining the Sox prior to the start of the 2020 season.

WHO: Red Sox (24-16) vs. Los Angeles Angels (16-21) WHEN: 4:10 p.m. WHERE: Fenway Park SERIES TO DATE: Red Sox 1-0 STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Martin Perez (0-2, 4.01) vs. RHP Dylan Bundy (0-4, 5.01) TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

ANGELS:

Ward RF Ohtani RF Trout CF Rendon 3B Iglesias SS Gosselin 1B Upton LF Suzuki C Fletcher 2B

RED SOX

Gonzalez 2B Verdugo CF Martinez DH Bogaerts SS Devers 3B Vazquez C Renfroe RF Dalbec 1B Cordero LF

IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:

B7: Turns out, the only thing the Red Sox lineup needed to break out was the arrival of the Angels. Eight runs Friday night and nine more today, now that the Sox have their third homer of the afternoon -- a solo shot over the bullpens from Rafael Devers, who ties J.D. Martinez for the team lead at 10.

B6: For the second time in three innings, Dalbec doubles to left and Cordero scores him with a double just inside the first base bag. What is happening?

T6: That's almost certainly it for Perez, who goes six shutout innings, extending the Red Sox' string of five straight in which they've gotten at least six innings from their starter. Perez, now in his second season with the Sox, is in line to pick up his first Fenway win in a Red Sox uniform.

B5: Xander Bogaerts, over everything in left. Got a fastball center-cut and destroyed it. That's No. 9 on the season and fifth in his last 13 games.

B4: More bottom-of-the-lineup production for the Red Sox as Bobby Dalbec scrapes The Wall with a two- run double and Franchy Cordero snaps another interminable hitless streak (0-for-18) by pulling a double down the right field line.

T3: Perez has been able to work around four walks, but he's not doing his pitch count any favors -- 58 pitches through three innings.

T3: Martin Perez's velocity has been better of late and he challenges Ohtani with a 94 mph fastball up in the zone for a swinging strike three.

B1: Alex Verdugo breaks out of an 0-for-14 funk with a long homer over the Boston bullpen in right field. His fifth homer this year but first since May 4. Got a changeup on the inner half and cleaned it out.

T1: Shohei Ohtani gets a little too aggressive for his own good. After poking an opposite-field single just inside the third base bag, Ohtani rounded first and headed for second, not realizing that teammate Taylor Ward was anchored to second. Ohtani is then erased in a brief rundown between first and second.

WHAT's UP: This marks the 32nd time that the Red Sox have begun a season by winning 24 games in their first 40, the most recent of which took place in 2018...In six of the most recent starts like this one, the Sox have made it to the postseason...The Sox have a 3.85 staff ERA. The last four times the Sox had 23 or more wins and a sub-4.00 ER through the first four games, they went on to win a World Series - 2004, 2007, 2013, 2018....The Sox have a plus-37 run differential, ranking them third in the American League and fourth in MLB...The Sox lead the majors in doubles (87), extra-base hits (138), slugging percentage (.437) and OPS (.763)...They're second in runs (203) and batting average (.262), behind only the Astros in both categories...The Sox are outhomering their opponents by a margin of 48-29. That plus 19 is the largest homer differential in the American League...Sox pitchers have allowed just .74 homers per nine inning, the third-lowest rate in baseball. They've allowed multiple homers in only seven games and just once in the last 12. They're the only team in either league which hasn't allowed as many as three homers in a game...Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez are 1-2 in MLB in hits. Martinez (No. 1) and Bogaerts (No. 2) are also first and second in total bases.....Martinez leads the majors with 33 RBI and leads the league in runs scored...He's also fifth in slugging and OPS....Bogaerts is fourth in batting average and eighth in OPS...The Sox have allowed no more than four runs in the last six games, their longest such streak of the season....They're seven in the AL in ERA at 3.85...In their first 40 games, the Sox have gotten five or more innings in 33 games, tying them with the Dodgers for the most in the majors...They've also had their starters go at least six innings in four straight and in six of the last seven games...Matt Barnes posted his 12th perfect appearance of at least one inning Friday night...Over his last eight outings, he's retired 23-of-24 hitters...In that stretch, opposing hitters are just 1-for-24 with 15 strikeouts and no walks...Barnes is 9-for-9 in save opportunities. In those nine games, he hasn't allowed a run and permitted just two baserunners -- one on a walk, one on a base hit...In his last three starts, Martinez Perez has a 2.20 ERA..,The Sox have scored just nine games in his seven starts....In five of those, they scored one or no runs while he was still in the game...David Fletcher is 3-for-6 with a homer against Perez in his career while Justin Upton is 3-for-9 with a homer...Bogaerts is 10-for-33 with two homers lifetime against Dylan Bundy and Martinez is just 2-for-16 with nine strikeouts.

NOTES:

* Prior to the game, the Red Sox placed RHP Garrett Whitlock on the IL-Covid related for a bad reaction to his vaccine. He was placed on the roster by RHP Colten Brewer.

* Kike Hernandez (hamstring) is set to DH for Worcester tonight and play the outfield Sunday. That could set him up to be activated for the start of the road trip Tuesday. However, INF Christian Arroyo (hand) is still sore as he attempts to swing and is for now limited to hitting off a tee and some soft toss swings. He's unlikely to be ready for a rehab stint until later next week.

* Tanner Houck (flexor muscle) Connor Seabold (elbow inflammation) are improving and receiving treatment, but haven't been cleared to throw or resume any baseball activities.

* Alex Verdugo heads into today 0-for-14 and is hitting just .226 for the month. "I don't want to say that's he been pull-happy because he never tries to pull the ball,'' said Alex Cora. "But it seems like he's getting beat with fastballs inside and then with changeups, he's rolling over. He's been playing a lot, too. It's part of the grind. This is something that's different for him -- 162 games, he's never done that.'

BSJ Game Report: Red Sox 9, Angels 0 -- Sox bash away to earn first win for Perez

Sean McAdam

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.

MLB Notebook: Parity reigns and division races likely to remain tight; Draft coming into focus

Sean McAdam

As the 2021 season reaches the one-quarter mark -- most teams will have played at least 40 games by the end of the weekend -- it's become pretty apparent most divisions will be tightly contested.

The biggest lead in any division as play began Saturday belonged to the St. Louis Cardinals, who led the second-place by three games. The rest of the division leaders -- including the Red Sox -- had leads of no more than two full games.

And while 40 or so games is too soon to jump too many conclusions, this much would seem to be evident: there's parity throughout the game.

Even the defending-champion , who some had forecast had the talent to win well over 100 games, find themselves in third place in their own division, and while the fact that the are ahead of the Dodgers registers as absolutely no surprise, the fact that both teams are behind the San Francisco Giants was predicted by exactly no one.

Closer to home, the Red Sox have a winning percentage but that's bought them no separation in the East. Three teams -- the Yankees, Rays and Blue Jays -- are close on their heels, with even fourth-placed Toronto just three games behind. And while it's dangerous to make many generalizations with almost 120 games remaining, this much seems rather obvious: the division is likely to stay congested the rest of the way.

For now, the AL East is the only division of MLB's six to boast four teams with winning records.

"This division,'' predicts Alex Cora, "is going to be fun for the fans throughout the season."

That isn't to suggest that the four teams will similarly be bunched in September. But it seems obvious that no one is running off with anything.

"I would expect that division will be pretty competitive most of the way,'' said one front office person from outside the A.L. East. "You have a handful of pretty good teams, but no great ones. Every club has its flaws.''

The Red Sox have played only 15 games within the division and of those, nine have come against Baltimore. They've yet to face Toronto yet -- a three-game series awaits Tuesday, in the Jays home-away- from-home-away-from-home in Dunedin, Fla. -- and only 18 of their first 57 games will be against divisional opponents. In a scheduling quirk, the Sox won't play the Yankees until June.4.

In the meantime, some thoughts about the division:

* Bullpens are the great equalizer. Even with fewer teams relying on the opener concept this season and teams generally relying on more conventional starters, bullpens can play an outsized role in determining a team's success. In some cases, a good bullpen can help cover a multitude of sins.

"Whoever we've played, from Day 1 until now, they have solid bullpens,'' said Cora. "If the starters give you five and you're in the game (when you go to the bullpen), it's going to be a close one. Look at the Giants (relievers) - they mix-and-match with the best of them and you see the results.''

Indeed, more times than not, it seems games are coming down to the final inning or two with the trailing team within striking distance. (Almost half - 18 of 40 -- of the Sox games have been decided by a one or two runs). And good bullpens, with arms capable of throwing 96-98 mph on a regular basis, can be difference-makers.

* Injuries are likely to play a bigger role than usual.

Having suitable depth is always a key to surviving the grind of a six-month season, and in the COVID-era, that's perhaps more true than ever before. Teams not only have to deal with the usual array of baseball injuries, but also, COVID outbreaks. The San Diego Padres have all the talent in the world, but one day earlier this week, they lost three regulars to the virus: Fernando Tatis Jr., and Eric Hosmer.

Even teams nearly fully vaccinated aren't completely secure, as the Yankees demonstrated recently.

Then there's the prospect of players -- pitchers especially -- hitting a wall during the summer when the innings and games played begin to take their toll. There's no way to accurately predict how many pitchers will hit the wall as a result of going from a 60-game schedule to a full-length 162-game slate, but most teams are bracing for some inevitable breakdowns. Depth will be essential.

To date, the Red Sox have been luckier than most so far, with no major in-season injuries (both Kike Hernandez and Christian Arroyo are currently sidelined, with the former due back Tuesday and the latter by next weekend), but no one expects that to last an entire season.

* If you're looking for a key stretch for the Red Sox, start after the All-Star break.

Beginning with a four-game series with the Yankees in New York, the Sox will play either the Yanks, Rays and Jays 26 times over a span of 32 games.

When that run is over, we'll know a lot more about where the teams stand in relation to one another. Or maybe, given the parity, they'll simply beat each other up and no one will be able to achieve much separation in the standings. ______

The MLB draft is still almost two months away, but college and high school regular seasons winding down, the first round is coming into a bit clearer focus.

It's now becoming obvious that the Red Sox, picking at No. 4, their highest draft position in better than 55 years, will likely have a chance to select either of the Vanderbilt aces: Kuman Rocker or Jack Leiter.

Each has experienced some drop-off in performance in recent weeks, with Leiter, in particular, suffering from a heavy workload. Both pitchers have seen their velocity dip in recent outings, though they remain largely effective.

While Rocker and Leiter drop some on the Big Board, others have been elevated. Catcher Henry Davis (University of Louisville) is vaulting to the top of a lot of draft boards.

Others projected to go in the Top 10 are high school shortstops Jordan Lawlar (Dallas), Marcello Mayer (Chula Vista, Calif.), Brady House (Georgia), Kahlil Watson (North Carolina) and college shortstop Matt McLain (UCLA).

In other words, there's a premium on middle-of-the-field players (catchers, shortstops), and if you move down into the bottom half of the Top 10, there's some choice capable of playing center field, too, including Boston College product Sal Frelick.

Teams want impact players athletic enough to play in the middle of the diamond.

A lot of Red Sox fans had hoped that the team would luck out and have one of the two Vandy aces drop to No. 4. and now, that seems all but guaranteed. Given that potential top-of-the-rotation starters are seldom available to them when they select, this is an opportunity to nab one. Rotation aces are the most valuable commodity in the game, and as the Red Sox have found in the last decade, if you don't draft and develop your own, you have to pay a king's random in talent (Chris Sale) or free agent dollars (David Price) to get one.

But it's worth wondering as a number of experts have both Rocker and Leiter slide down some whether the Red Sox aren't of the same thinking and could be zeroing in on either a catcher, shortstop or outfielder.

This isn't about immediate help, of course. Even the most polished college prospects are, at minimum, a year or two away. Like any other draft, it's about long-term value.

Still, for an organization that isn't planning on having a Top 10 pick again anytime soon, the temptation to choose from among two sturdy-bodied pitchers who could lead a rotation with power arms may be overwhelming. ______

The terrific start being enjoyed by Matt Barnes could create an interesting dynamic for the Red Sox front office.

Barnes is 9-for-9 in save opportunities, but even that doesn't begin to suggest the dominance he's exhibited since the start of the season. Barnes has had 12 perfect appearances of at least an inning, while not other A.L. pitcher has more than seven. Over his last eight outings, he's retired 23-of-24 batters. and in his nine save opportunities, he's yet to allow a single run and held opponents to an .034 batting average (1-for-29) with 16 strikeouts and just one walk.

Through the first 41 games of the season, Barnes seems like a new pitcher. He's attacking hitters, working faster, featuring his fastball more and is pitching with more confidence than ever before.

Over the winter, there were talks between the Red Sox and Barnes on a contract extension since Barnes is eligible for free agency after the current season. The talks never progressed far, however, and were tabled. Now, a quarter of the way through the season, it would seem that Barnes' leverage has only increased. If he keeps up this level of performance -- or anything remotely close -- he'll go into the offseason as the most in-demand pitcher on the free-agent market.

Others on the market will include Kenley Jensen, Trevor Rosenthal and Kirby Yates -- all of whom have longer track records in the closing role, but with significant physical questions attached. Rosenthal underwent thoracic outlet surgery last month and is gone for the year, as is Yates, who had Tommy John surgery in March. As for Jansen, he's been the Dodgers closer for the past decade, but his workload could scare off teams.

On the other hand, Barnes, for as dominant as he's been, hasn't handled the job for long and has just 24 saves to his credit. It may be that Barnes is something of a late bloomer, but that could be held against him in free agency. At a position in which performance is notoriously fickle, his thin resume could be an issue.

* The Athletic

Red Sox likely to be patient when it comes to Jarren Duran’s big-league promotion

Jen McCaffrey

With a run-scoring double that gave Worcester a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning in an eventual 10-5 win on Saturday, Jarren Duran continued to make an early mark in Triple A.

Though “Duran Watch” officially commenced earlier this month with the start of the Triple-A season, it’s likely to continue at least into the early part of the summer.

The Red Sox center-field prospect, the latest prospect in line for a big-league debut, has done little to temper the sky-high expectations. After Duran opened the season with an 0-for-11 stretch in his first three games, he reeled off consecutive three-hit nights as well as a two-homer game earlier this week.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old posted a 1-for-4 day with a walk, a strikeout and a run-scoring double. Through 11 games, Duran is 12-for-43 (.279) with two doubles, four homers, seven walks and 15 strikeouts.

But while the excitement for Duran is palpable, don’t expect the Red Sox to make a move anytime soon.

“We want to make sure we don’t try to learn too much from a really small sample,” chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said earlier this month. “Just (have) him go through the ups and downs of the season and playing every day and doing it with the various ways that we have to track his performance.”

Any time a top-level prospect is nearing the majors, box-score watching is a nightly affair, but in a Red Sox farm system that’s been in rebuild mode, Duran represents the next wave of potential impact players. Bobby Dalbec and Tanner Houck led this latest surge of young talent with their debuts last season, but while each impressed in his own right, the fanfare was a bit tempered — not just because the team itself was awful but because there were no fans in person to produce said fanfare.

As Houck and Dalbec got their first taste of the majors, Duran toiled away at the alternate site in Pawtucket, trying out a new swing he’d reshaped ahead of the 2020 season. The eight homers he launched in the simulated intrasquad games offered a glimpse at an impact big-league bat. Over the winter, Duran showed that the power was no fluke in the Puerto Rican Winter League with a .288 average and .808 OPS in addition to MVP honors in the finals. In big-league spring training, he produced six doubles, a triple and three homers.

So it’s understandable there’s intense anticipation for a prospect who has drawn comparisons to Jacoby Ellsbury, thanks to his blazing speed and newfound power stroke.

But it’s also important to put his promotion into context.

In his 18 months in charge of the Red Sox, Bloom has never shown to be swayed by public opinion (see the Mookie Betts trade) but remains steadfast in finding the best route to long-term success for the club and the player.

“On one hand, you’re going to learn a lot really quickly because all of these guys — and this is true around the industry — they’re going to be out there in ways that we can watch them and track them that we haven’t had,” Bloom said. “On the other hand, we have to remember that it’s a lot for them, too. It’s a lot happening at once.”

That means that as good as Duran looks right now, even with that 0-for-11 start, the Red Sox likely want to see him falter at the Triple-A level, only so he can learn to make adjustments and not have to do so under the glare of major-league lights.

This season, in particular, is important given the lack of structure and competition last year. Before this season, Duran hadn’t played above Double A, where he finished the final 82 games of 2019.

The Red Sox generally don’t like to skip steps in development, so Duran might have a bit of an extended stay in Worcester. In 2013, Xander Bogaerts began the year at Double A, hitting .311 with a .909 OPS over 56 games before a promotion to Triple A, where he spent another 60 games, hitting .284 with an .822 OPS until his promotion to the Red Sox on Aug. 20. The following year, Betts hit .355 with a .994 OPS over 54 games to start the year in Double A before a move to Triple A, where he spent 23 games, hitting .322 with an .869 OPS. He was called up June 29 that year and returned to Triple A shortly thereafter before rejoining the Red Sox for good in August. (Granted, Bogaerts and Betts were 20 and 21, respectively, at the time.)

Yet, while Duran is older and more advanced in some ways, he hasn’t played all that much outfield over the course of his minor-league career. The 2018 seventh-round pick of the Red Sox came up through college at California State, Long Beach as a second baseman and converted to the outfield full time in 2019.

The outfield repetitions, defensive reads and positioning are just as important as his at-bats at Triple A, where, again, the mistakes matter less.

“I don’t know that you can ever go into a minor-league season knowing less than you do now about where exactly your players are now,” Bloom said. “Obviously, we’ve seen a lot of Jarren going back to last year, but we haven’t seen him during that everyday grind of the season. That’s true of all of our players, and we just need to be mindful of that.”

As the attention on him has swelled, particularly in a market like Boston, Duran is still getting accustomed to it all.

“I kind of like being a non-prospect because people don’t expect a lot out of you,” he said this week. “Not being a prospect to start, you just work your butt off as much as you can, and things come your way with hard work. So I’ve just worked, did the right things, played hard.”

Every prospect’s development is different, but with no minor-league season last year and Duran’s need for defensive reps, it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Red Sox hold him back until at least early July. Bloom has shown patience with prospects, like adding to the rotation this winter so as not to rely too heavily on Houck at the outset.

There’s no reason to think Duran’s progression will be any different.

* Associated Press

Verdugo hits HR on 25th birthday as Red Sox beat Angels 9-0

BOSTON (AP) — Alex Verdugo hit a solo homer in his first at-bat on his 25th birthday, Xander Bogaerts also went deep with a game-breaking, three-run shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the stumbling Los Angeles Angels 9-0 on Saturday.

Rafael Devers added a solo shot, Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run double and Franchy Cordero drove in two runs with two doubles for the Red Sox (25-16), who won their third straight and matched their season high by climbing nine games over .500.

“We needed a game like that to be able to rest some players,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It was a great game today.”

Angels star Shohei Ohtani had a rough day, getting cut down on a baserunning blunder after a single in his first at-bat, and striking out his next three.

Martín Pérez (1-2) went six innings, holding the Angels to three singles, striking out five with four walks. Three relievers combined on the four-hitter.

Los Angeles (16-22) has lost four in a row, falling to a season-worst six games under .500.

“We’re going through a rough stretch right now. It’s a long season,” Angels star Mike Trout said. “We’ll turn it around. We’ll be alright.”

Verdugo snapped an 0-for-14 stretch by sending a fastball from Dylan Bundy (0-5) over Boston’s bullpen. After crossing home plate, he pointed up to the front row of seats on the Green Monster, where about a half-dozen fans, with most wearing his jersey, were cheering wildly and holding birthday signs.

“It was a very special moment for me,” Verdugo said. “I had family that was probably in the back behind home plate and I had my best friend and his family, I put them out on the Monster. They were right by the left-field foul pole holding signs. It was cool.

“I hit the home run and, if I was pointing everywhere, that’s why. I wanted to make sure I got my mom, my dad, my best friend and his family.”

Bogaerts chased Bundy with his shot that left Fenway Park completely over the Monster seats, giving the Red Sox a 7-0 lead in the fifth.

Bundy was tagged for seven runs in four innings, raising his ERA to 6.02.

“Everything was kind of center-cut,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “He was missing in the middle.”

OUCH!

Ohtani singled down the left-field line and headed toward second before noticing teammate Taylor Ward standing near the bag. Ohtani broke back but was easily tagged out in a rundown.

“It’s just like a car wreck,” Maddon said when asked who made the wrong read on the play. “You’re always responsible when you hit somebody from behind.”

He struck out swinging in his second at-bat after fouling a ball off his foot and walking around gingerly.

I’LL TAKE THAT

The Red Sox had scored just nine total runs while Pérez was in the game in his seven previous starts. They put up eight on Saturday.

“I think today everything came together,” Pérez said. “The guys swung the bats good.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino revealed sometimes he’ll ask a teammate on the field what they think he should throw in a big spot. He said it started with teammates Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu when they played together in Colorado.

“I’ve been doing it a long time in my career,” he said before the game. “Sometimes you hear it from the great players, and it gives you confidence to throw the pitch with maybe a little more conviction.”

In his first year with Boston, he has started taking advice from Bogaerts. On Friday, he used it — striking out Ohtani with a slider.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: Hoping to improve the majors’ worst staff with a 5.21 ERA entering Saturday, they acquired RHP Hunter Strickland from the Rays for a player to be named or cash.

Red Sox: RHP Garrett Whitlock was placed on the COVID-19 related injured list. Cora said was “under the weather” after receiving his second vaccine shot. ... INF/OF Kiké Hernández (right hamstring strain) was the DH Saturday and is scheduled to play the outfield Sunday in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP José Quintana (0-3, 9.00 ERA) looks to halt an 11-start winless stretch in Sunday’s series finale for his first victory since Sept. 5, 2019, when he was with the Cubs.

Red Sox: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 4.20) is set to start. He has a 58-inning homerless stretch, the MLB’s longest active streak.