Perez makes splash in 1st postseason game

CLEVELAND — Anxious about his first postseason, Indians catcher Roberto Perez talked with Mike Napoli before Thurday’s 5-4 victory over the Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Napoli, who has played in seven of the past nine postseasons, told him to not to do too much and that if he takes good at-bats, good things will happen.

Perez did just that by homering and scoring twice with a crucial tagout at home plate and a tagup of second to boot.

Perez played a big role from the start, when Hanley Ramirez doubled home Dustin Pedroia in the first inning. Brock Holt tried to make it home from first, but thanks to Francisco Lindor’s relay and Holt’s head-first slide, Perez was able to tag his leg in time.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 6   CLE 5, BOS 4 Gm 2 Oct. 7 4:30 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Complete Postseason coverage

Home-plate umpire Brian Knight originally ruled Holt safe at home, but the Indians challenged the call. After a 45-second review, replay officials overturned the call, and Perez helped hold Boston’s lead to one run.

“I knew I got him,” Perez said. “I just didn’t know if he got his …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com