Boston’s Rafael Devers watches his a two-run home run off Philadelphia pitcher Connor Brogdon in the seventh inning of Boston’s 11-3 win on Friday night in Philadelphia. Matt Slocum/Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — Rafael Devers and Danny Santana hit homers to back Martin Perez, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-3 Friday night.
Perez (2-2) allowed three runs and five hits, striking out seven in six innings.
The AL East-leading Red Sox have won three in a row. The Phillies lost for the sixth time in eight games to fall one game under .500.
Boston batters struck out 17 times against four pitchers, but still scored 11 runs.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (3-4) gave up five runs – four earned – and seven hits, striking out nine in five innings.
Nola fanned the first two batters in the fifth before running into trouble. Santana blasted a 1-2 pitch out to right to give Boston a 3-2 lead. After Alex Verdugo singled and J.D. Martinez walked, Xander Bogaerts lined a single to left. Third baseman Alec Bohm cut off left fielder Andrew McCutchen’s throw to the plate, even though it appeared there would be a play at home. Bohm’s throw to second base sailed into the outfield, allowing Martinez to score for a 5-2 lead.
Hunter Renfroe’s RBI single off Connor Brogdon in the sixth expanded Boston’s lead to 6-2.
Devers hit a two-run shot off Brogdon in the seventh for his 12th homer of the season.
Philadelphia’s Jean Segura crushed a two-run homer to left-center, tying it at 2-2 in the third.
Boston jumped ahead 2-0 in the first on an RBI groundout by Bogaerts and an RBI double by Devers.
Nola pitched at least seven innings and allowed two runs or fewer on four hits or fewer in his first three starts against the Red Sox before this one.
BOSTON DEBUT
In his first game with the Red Sox and first since having right elbow surgery last September, Santana batted leadoff and played first base. Manager Alex Cora said he plans to use Santana at first, second and center field.
SHODDY DEFENSE
The Phillies made three errors, two for Bohm and one for McCutchen.
ROSTER MOVES
Red Sox: Santana was called up from Triple-A Worcester before the game. Right-hander Austin Brice was designated for assignment. Brice had a 6.94 ERA in 12 games.
Phillies: Catcher J.T. Realmuto (left wrist bone bruise) was placed on the 10-day injury list, retroactive to May 18. Outfielder Matt Joyce was activated from the injury list.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Verdugo left the game in the sixth because of left hamstring tightness. … Infielder Christian Arroyo (left wrist contusion) is starting a rehab assignment this weekend.
Phillies: Realmuto could return when he’s eligible in seven days.
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