Pérez's strong start helps Boston over Houston 5-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Martín Pérez pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings, and the Boston Red Sox headed into their first matchup against the New York Yankees with a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday.

Christian Arroyo’s first home run of the season, a three-run drive in the first inning, helped the Red Sox avoid a four-game sweep. His homer gave the Red Sox more runs than they’d managed in the previous two games combined in a series where the offense struggled mightily.

Pérez (4-2) yielded six hits and struck out four in his longest start this season to win his fourth straight decision. He had retired eight of the previous nine batters when Garrett Stubbs singled with one out in the eighth. He walked Aledmys Díaz with two outs, and Adam Ottavino retired Alex Bregman to end the inning.

Brandon Workman, signed to a minor league contract last month after he was released by the Chicago Cubs, was brought up from Triple-A Worcester and made his first Red Sox appearance since he was traded to Philadelphia last August. The 32-year-old right-handed, who pitched for Boston from 2013-14 and 2017-20, gave up Yuli Gurriel's eighth home with one out in the ninth.

Boston headed to Yankee Stadium in second place in the AL East, two games behind Tampa Bay and 2 1/2 games in front on the third-place Yankees.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora was ejected by plate umpire Lance Barrett for arguing a called third strike on Kevin Plawecki for the first out of the sixth inning. Cora stood in front of Barrett at home plate speaking animatedly for a bit before he was tossed.

Houston starter Jake Odorizzi (0-3) labored through three innings in his second start after missing a month with a strained muscle in his right arm. He allowed three runs, four hits and three walks. Odorizzi’s tough day ended a...

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