BOSTON — Entering Saturday, the Red Sox had lost their first four games at Fenway Park this season and had lost eight straight at home dating back to their final homestand last year.

In fact, since Aug. 27 the club had gone 3-17 over its previous 20 home games.

An error-free affair coupled with a nice spot start from Cooper Criswell, Wilyer Abreu’s 2-for-4 day and a mammoth two-run homer from Triston Casas finally snapped the home skid as the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2.

The Red Sox have not played well at home the past two years with a combined 82-80 record. Despite a rough start at Fenway this year, they’re hoping their first home win leads to more.

“You got to get one before you can get two,” Casas said. “So I think it’s a good momentum builder heading into tomorrow.”

That the Red Sox’s win ended in a 6-4-3 double play initiated by shortstop David Hamilton, who’s had a tough week defensively, was a subtle reminder of what a clean game can do for a team. Over the previous seven days, the Red Sox had made 12 errors accounting for 16 unearned runs.

On Saturday, there were no defensive miscues that forced the pitching staff to work harder. And just as importantly, the offense did its part early to take the pressure off Criswell.

Abreu got the Red Sox started in the first with a double and scored on a Masataka Yoshida single. Casas then came to the plate and slammed a two-run homer into red-seat territory in right field. The homer traveled 429 feet at an exit velocity of 111.9 mph.

Crushed.
Destroyed.
Demolished. pic.twitter.com/nImFOWDKd8

— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 13, 2024

“That’s my best-hit ball for sure,” Casas said. “I had one hit harder, exit velo-wise last year but that Ted Williams seat is starting to feel more and more like a myth.

“I was kind of demoralized when I saw where it landed compared to where I thought it was going to,” Casas added of his attempt to hit the famous seat 502 feet from home plate.

Enmanuel Valdez followed Casas’ homer with a double and scored on a Ceddanne Rafaela infield single.

The Red Sox didn’t ease up in the second as Hamilton reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored on Abreu’s second hit in two at-bats. Yoshida added his second straight hit, scoring Abreu to make it 6-0.

Manager Alex Cora spoke earlier this week about needing to find Abreu more consistent at-bats against right-handed hitters. After a two-hit night on Thursday, Abreu appears to be finding his rhythm at the plate.

“He’s a good hitter, we got to play him, we’ll find at-bats,” Cora said. “Where we’re at roster-wise, it makes a lot of sense to get him out there against every righty. He changed the game today offensively, did a good job running the bases, and defensively he was outstanding.”

Abreu said having more chances at the plate this week has allowed him to get his rhythm back and implement some changes, including lowering his hands to help his swing.

Wilyer & Masa add on! pic.twitter.com/sHRYEAyNKx

— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 13, 2024

“(Wednesday), even though I struck out twice, I felt that my timing was right,” Abreu said through translator Daveson Perez. “So I just knew that the next day I just had to be a little bit earlier.”

Meanwhile, with Nick Pivetta on the injury list, the Red Sox called up Criswell to start. The right-hander, who battled for a starter spot in spring training, benefited from the early offense and despite a high pitch count, gave the Red Sox four innings. He allowed just a two-run homer and kept the Angels at bay.

Criswell, who was drafted by the Angels but later designated for assignment, was happy to get a start against his former team. Criswell will likely get another start with Pivetta sidelined for at least another week. Pivetta said on Saturday he felt good following Tuesday’s flexor strain diagnosis and tested his arm by playing catch before the game. He said he’d likely know more about his timeline on Monday to see how his arm responds to throwing.

As for Criswell, he’s trying to make the most of his role even with limited time to prepare.

“It’s tough, but I feel like I’ve been doing that the past three years, kind of just up and down,” he said. “Whenever you get that opportunity, just come up here and compete and give the team the best chance to win.”

Greg Weissert and Josh Winckowski each added two innings in relief before Joely Rodríguez closed it out.

Putting up seven runs without Rafael Devers or Tyler O’Neill in the lineup was also a good sign. O’Neill had a scheduled day off while Devers sat for the third straight day with a sore shoulder. Cora hoped he’d return by Monday, but said Devers is pushing to return on Sunday.

After a rough week returning home from a solid start on the West Coast, the Red Sox are hoping to build off Saturday’s win.

“We have a good team no matter who’s down or who’s out,” Casas said. “We still believe in this group so we’ve got to keep it together, good at-bats and solid defense and that those things will hopefully translate to wins.”

(Photo of Triston Casas: Michael Dwyer / Associated Press)