WASHINGTON -- Turns out, the offensive fireworks the Red Sox displayed Friday in D.C. weren’t limited to the Fourth of July. A day after their series-opening 11-2 win over the Nationals, the Red Sox bats stayed hot in a 10-3 triumph Saturday to secure the series win.
Jarren Duran’s two-run triple and Ceddanne Rafaela’s two-run homer highlighted a seven-run third inning off Nationals lefty Mitchell Parker, helping the Red Sox build a 9-0 lead en route to their 10,000th win in franchise history. The Sox join the Dodgers, Yankees, Giants and Cardinals as the only franchises to reach that benchmark (since 1901).
“I think offensively we’re in a good spot,” manager Alex Cora said after the Red Sox scored 10 runs in back-to-back games for the third time this season.
“It’s 162 [games]. You’re going to have stretches where you’re going to hit. We went through a bad stretch [offensively] a few weeks ago and now we’re in a good one, and one thing for sure -- we’re going to get healthier.”
The early cushion was a welcome boost for veteran righty Walker Buehler, who was in desperate need of a solid outing.
After pitching to an 11.07 ERA across five starts in June and conceding that his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy, Buehler tossed five-plus innings Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) and eight hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
“You get a nine-run lead and you’re supposed to throw strikes and move through the lineup,” said Buehler, who earned his first road win since April 26. “I got hung up there a couple of times, but all in all, it’s something big for me and hopefully we can roll with what we found here today and improve on it.”
Buehler has uncharacteristically struggled with command since signing a one-year $21.05 million deal with Boston, but Saturday he said felt more like his old self. With a continued emphasis on improving his delivery, Buehler threw 100 pitches, 65 for strikes. He also kept the ball in the park.
“No homers, no walks, that’s the first box checked for me,” Buehler said.
“It’s a step forward. I keep saying I’m close and closer. Today, there was some genuine difference in the delivery. Confidence is a big thing in this game and the way I got through the first and knew what the ball was going to do was huge, and you try to build on it as much as you can.”
Buehler retired the first four batters he faced on 15 pitches and was later aided by terrific defense behind him. With the Red Sox up 2-0 in the second and the Nationals threatening with two on, Duran made an exceptional catch in left-center field to rob Daylen Lile of extra bases and save at least one run.
With Boston up 9-1 in the fourth and the Nationals threatening again with runners on the corners, Roman Anthony made a diving catch in shallow right field to rob Jacob Young of a run-scoring base hit and end the inning.
“I’m still very much a realist,” Buehler said. “At the end of the day, I don’t think if we played a playoff game tomorrow that I’d be one of the three that’s going to go out there. And that’s something that’s carried me through my whole career. So, there’s still a lot of work to be done, and stuff I want to figure out with how I can help this team late in the year. But today was definitely better than the alternative.”
Romy Gonzalez was among Boston’s offensive catalysts with three hits and two runs through the game’s first three innings. Gonzalez ultimately finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Anthony and Rafaela also had multi-hit games as the Red Sox earned their fifth win in the last seven games.
“I think we’re just making good decisions and we’re prioritizing hitting the fastballs, especially over the heart of the plate,” said Anthony, who has gone back-to-back days with multiple hits. “Obviously, that’s the key to success. You’re only as good as the pitch you swing at, and I think we’re doing a really good job swinging at fastballs.”
Greg Weissert, Brennan Bernardino and Jorge Alcala combined for four scoreless innings of relief and allowed just one base runner between them.