Kike Hernandez capped off a four run ninth inning on Saturday evening with a game winning two-run homerun, as the Boston Red Sox put themselves in a great spot in the American League Wild Card race with a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
It was a pitchers duel for most of the game as a fourth inning solo homerun by Rafael Devers was all the scoring until the eighth. Boston with a 1-0 lead would depend on the bullpen after starter Tanner Houck pitched a perfect 5.0 innings with no walks and eight strikeouts. Josiah Gray was equally as good on the Washington side only allowing the one run on three hits in 6.0 innings. The Sox had a chance to add on in the top of the eighth when Hernandez, Kyle Schwarber, and Xander Bogaerts all walked with two outs to load the bases. Devers though struck out swinging to end that threat. The Nats tied it in the bottom half when Ryan Zimmerman doubled with one out, and then Lane Thomas and Alcides Escobar walked. Juan Soto lifted a sacrifice fly deep to center to bring in Zimmerman. Boston (91-70) had the big ninth inning with most of the damage coming with two outs. JD Martinez led off with a walk, but then Alex Verdugo and Hunter Renfroe struck out. Christian Vazquez came through with an RBI triple over the head of Soto and off the wall in right, and Travis Shaw followed with a sinking single to left to score Vazquez. Hernandez then took a 1-0 pitch into the Red Sox bullpen in left to make it 5-1. Washington (65-96) tried to rally in their last at bat when Keibert Ruiz led off with a walk, and then Andrew Stevenson hit a two-run homer to left center off Austin Davis. Hansel Robles came on and was able to pick up the save, as he allowed just a two out walk to Zimmerman before retiring Thomas on a fly out to end the game.
Garrett Richards, Ryan Brasier, and Adam Ottavino each got a hold. Davis (1-2) was credited with the win but also a blown save. Robles picked up his 14th save on the season. Hernandez led the way with two hits. Boston is now tied with New York for the top wild card spot with just one game in the regular season remaining. Stevenson had two hits for Washington, and Tanner Rainey (1-3) took the pitching loss in relief. Chris Sale (5-1, 2.90 ERA) gets the ball in the finale Sunday at 3:05 p.m. as the Red Sox go for the three game sweep. Joan Adon will make his MLB debut for the Nationals on the hill.
