Alex Verdugo hits leadoff homer, Red Sox beat Nationals in series opener

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Verdugo led off the sport with a homer and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday evening within the opener of a three-game collection.

Boston, which remained three video games behind Toronto for the American League’s final wild-card spot, has received six of eight. The Red Sox improved to 9-1 at Nationals Park.

Stone Garrett and Keibert Ruiz every drove in two runs for the Nationals, who had received 12 of their final 14 at house.

After Verdugo’s ninth house run and second profession leadoff blast, Triston Casas made it 3-0 with a two-run single within the third off Josiah Gary (7-10). Washington responded within the backside 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 adopted with a double. Duran scored on Verdugo’s sacrifice fly, and Reyes got here in on reliever Robert Garcia’s wild pitch.

John Schreiber (2-1) pitched a scoreless sixth inning. He was the second of 5 Boston relievers who mixed for 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Kenley Jansen dealt with the ninth for his twenty eighth save and has transformed all 17 of his save alternatives on the highway.

Gray allowed 5 runs in three-plus innings, his shortest outing of the season. The Nationals’ lone All-Star has not accomplished 5 innings in his final three begins, and his ERA has jumped from 3.27 to three.96 in that span.

Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta yielded 4 runs in 4 1/3 innings whereas placing out seven.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: Washington activated RHP Hunter Harvey (elbow) from the injured record and optioned LHP Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A Rochester. Harvey pitched a 1-2-3 ninth Tuesday in his first outing since July 14. La Sorsa was 1-0 with a 6.61 ERA in 15 video games with the Nationals. … RHPs Tanner Rainey (Tommy John surgical procedure) and Mason Thompson (left knee) threw simulated video games.

MAN OF STEAL

Washington SS CJ Abrams hit the 30-steal plateau with a swipe of second base within the first inning. He is the fifth National with a 30-steal season, becoming a member of Trea Turner (4 occasions), Nyjer Morgan, Alfonso Soriano and Denard Span.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: LHP James Paxton (7-3, 3.36 ERA), who threw 5 1/3 shutout innings Thursday to beat Kansas City, attracts the beginning Wednesday because the collection continues.

Nationals: LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.62) is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in his final three begins at house.