Washington Nationals Recap: Nats’ offense explodes in 10-5 win over Red Sox
By Pablo Roa
After a disastrous loss to the Boston Red Sox last night, the Washington Nationals’ offense exploded for 10 runs to beat Boston and salvage the last game at Fenway Park Wednesday afternoon.
The offense got things started early on for the Nationals against Red Sox starter Wade Miley. Yunel Escobar led off the top of the first inning with a walk. Two batters later, Bryce Harper got the Nationals on the board with a two-out RBI double to center field. Ryan Zimmerman then drove Harper home with a triple, giving Washington a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Nationals, the lead wouldn’t last as the Red Sox scored two runs against starter Gio Gonzalez in the second inning. Shane Victorino cut the Nationals’ lead to 2-1 with an RBI single. Former National Sandy Leon tied the game later in the inning with an RBI groundout.
The Nationals lost the lead, but Washington’s offense was only getting started and the real damage would come in the third inning.
Ian Desmond got things started with a solo home run to left to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead. The Nationals loaded the bases later in the inning, and Wilson Ramos cleared them with a three-run double to stretch Washington’s lead to 6-2. Dan Uggla then followed with an RBI double of his own, before Michael Taylor drove Uggla in with another double to give the Nationals a commanding 8-2 lead.
The Nationals scored six runs in an inning for the second time in two days and they never looked back. Gonzalez wasn’t perfect, but the early run support was more than enough for the Nationals’ left-hander to come away with his first win of the season.
More from Nationals News
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
After allowing those two runs in the second, Gonzalez settled down to score two scoreless frames. The Red Sox would cut the Nationals lead to 8-4 when Gonzalez gave up a two-run homer to Hanley Ramirez in the fifth, before an RBI double by Brock Holt made it an 8-5 game in the sixth inning.
But that was all the damage the Red Sox would do against Gonzalez, and his offense bailed him out and gave him his first win of the season. On the day, Gonzalez allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits while striking out six and walking two over six innings of work.
After Gonzalez left the game, the Nationals offense added two more runs on a homer by Tyler Moore in the top of the seventh, his first of the year, giving Washington a 10-5 lead.
Manager Matt Williams turned things over to his bullpen in the seventh inning, and unlike in previous days, the ‘pen did not disappoint. Newly-promoted reliever Rafael Martin dominated in his debut, throwing two scoreless innings and capping things off with five consecutive strikeouts. Drew Storen came in for the ninth inning and ended the game with ease, retiring the Red Sox in order.
It took a while, but the Nationals finally broke out of their funk and beat the Red Sox, 10-5. They lost the series, but today’s win should definitely change the tide for the Nationals, who are now 3-6 on the season.
Next Up: The Nationals look to win two games in a row for the first time this season tomorrow night, when they return home to face the Phillies. Doug Fister will be looking for his first win of the season, as the Phillies send ace Cole Hamels to the mound at 7:05 p.m. ET.