Big fifth inning helps Sox breeze past Nationals

July 3, 2018

 

Xander Bogaerts capped off a six run fifth inning Tuesday night with a three run homer to help the Boston Red Sox to a second straight Interleague victory over the Washington Nationals 11-4 at Nationals Park.

JD Martinez had a two run single and a two run homer, Eduardo Nunez had a three run homer, and Steve Pearce added another RBI with a single as Boston moves to 58-29. Mark Reynolds and Washington starting pitcher Tanner Roark had RBI singles for the Nationals, while Pedro Severino hit his first homer of the year a solo shot in the sixth, and Brian Goodwin added another solo homer in the ninth. Martinez, Nunez, Pearce, and Bogaerts all had two hits a piece. Martinez leads MLB in homers with 26 and RBI with 71.

Brian Johnson started on the hill for Boston and went 4.2 innings, allowing two runs, eight hits, two walks, with two strikeouts. Johnson also recorded his very first major league hit with a single in the big fifth inning. Brandon Workman (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh to pick up the win in relief.

Boston goes for the three game sweep in the Fourth of July game at 11:05 am Wednesday. The pitching matchup features 9-3 Eduardo Rodriguez for Boston, against 1-3 Erick Fedde for Washington.