Alex Verdugo led off the game with a homer and the Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Alex Verdugo led off the game with a homer and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Boston, which remained three games behind Toronto for the American League’s last wild-card spot, has won six of eight. The Red Sox improved to 9-1 at Nationals Park.
Stone Garrett and Keibert Ruiz each drove in two runs for the Nationals, who had won 12 of their last 14 at home.
After Verdugo’s ninth home run and second career leadoff blast, Triston Casas made it 3-0 with a two-run single in the third off Josiah Gary (7-10). Washington responded in the bottom of the inning as Ruiz and Garrett delivered two-run doubles.
The Red Sox chased Gray after Jarren Duran led off the fourth with a single and Pablo Reyes followed with a double.
