Martin Perez controlled the game from the first pitch, throwing five shutout innings to lead Atlanta past Detroit 5-2 at Truist Park on Monday night.
Perez (2-1) allowed just two hits while walking four and striking out five over 91 pitches. The veteran left-hander carried a 2.22 ERA into his next start, anchoring a performance that kept Detroit scoreless until the ninth inning.
Atlanta built its lead methodically against Casey Mize. Yastrzemski scored on Acuña Jr.'s double to left in the third inning, then Acuña Jr. scored on Olson's sacrifice fly to center for a 2-0 advantage. Yastrzemski singled home Dubón in the seventh before Albies homered to left in the eighth, scoring Olson for the decisive 5-0 margin.
Mize (2-2) lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out three. His ERA stands at 2.90. Detroit managed only a late rally when Pérez homered to center in the ninth, scoring Keith to cut the final margin to three runs.
Atlanta improved to 20-9 and maintained first place in their division. Detroit fell to 15-14 despite entering with a winning streak. Albies, batting .308 with six home runs and 18 RBIs this season, sits two stolen bases away from 100 career steals.