BOSTON SPORTS WAVE

Hunter Renfroe, Bobby Dalbec Go Back-to-Back as Red Sox Hang On To Take Series Opener Over Nationals And Remain in Wild Card

Boston Red Sox's Hunter Renfroe

It only took two pitches for the Red Sox to score four runs, and it was enough for the Red Sox as Boston grabbed their 90th win with a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

After singles from Xander Bogaerts — who has been cold as of late — and J.D. Martinez, Hunter Renfroe mashed a three-run big fly 434 feet, well into the right field seats. The next pitch? Bobby Dalbec clobbered one 376 feet to make it 4-0 in the sixth.

Eduardo Rodriguez’s five-inning masterpiece gave the cushion for just a four-run performance, as he served up just five hits while he struck out six Nats. He did get a hand from Kiké Hernandez in the fourth, as after loading the bases with nobody out, E-Rod retired the next two batters. With two outs, a slow dribbler was softly rolled to Hernandez, at second base, and he bare-handed it and flipped it on to first to barely retire the side.

Ryan Brasier hurled a perfect sixth, while Matt Barnes couldn’t get out of the seventh after letting up a solo home run to Alcides Escobar. Jordy Mercer would take Adam Ottavino deep in the eighth to make it a two-run game.

Hansel Robles entered for the save, and set down the first pair of batters with ease. But, he would run himself into some trouble, as on a payoff delivery, Robles walked Juan Soto before walking Josh Bell in the following at-bat to put two on. After a mound visit from catcher Christian Vazquez, the righty was able to notch the save as he got Keibert Ruiz on a game-ending popout.

AL Wild Card race

The Rays were able to fend off the Yankees, but the Blue Jays did win — the Mariners are currently playing. The Sox still hold the second Wild Card spot and would be in sole possession if a Seattle loss occurred to the LA Angels currently.

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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