Red Sox rally to top Nationals, host Yankees in wildcard | Inquirer Sports

Red Sox rally to top Nationals, host Yankees in wildcard

/ 12:34 PM October 04, 2021

Rafael Devers Boston Red Sox

Photo from Boston Red Sox Twitter

Rafael Devers’ second homer of the game Sunday, a two-run shot in the ninth inning, lifted the visiting Boston Red Sox to a 7-5 win over the Washington Nationals and the top wild-card playoff spot in the American League.

The Red Sox rallied from a 5-1 deficit to finish the series sweep and will host the New York Yankees, who defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 Sunday, in the AL wild-card game Tuesday night.

Article continues after this advertisement

Boston and New York finished with 92-70 records, but Boston won the season series 10-9.

FEATURED STORIES

Kyle Schwarber reached on an error to open the ninth for the Red Sox on Sunday. Xander Bogaerts struck out, but Devers connected with a 2-1 pitch from Kyle Finnegan (5-9) for his 38th home run of the season, a shot to center.

Article continues after this advertisement

Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8) pitched an inning for the win, and Nick Pivetta worked the ninth for his first save.

Article continues after this advertisement

Trailing 5-2 in the seventh, Schwarber, Bogaerts and Devers singled off Erick Fedde to make it 5-3. Alex Verdugo later lined a double to the gap in right center, scoring two runs to tie it.

Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez left in the sixth inning with a left-ankle sprain.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ryan Zimmerman, who hasn’t said if he will return next season, was 0-for-3 with an RBI walk for Washington (65-97) before being removed to an ovation in the eighth inning, and catcher Alex Avila had a two-run double in his final major league game.

Washington starter Joan Adon was impressive in his major league debut, allowing two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked three.

Boston starter Chris Sale was lifted early after allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. Every out came via strikeout.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Josh Bell doubled and scored on a double by Jordy Mercer.

In the third, the Nationals loaded the bases on a walk and two singles, and Zimmerman worked a walk against Sale to make the score 2-0.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Devers fell behind Adon 1-2 leading off the fourth before homering to center.

Alcides Escobar doubled to start the Washington fifth. Juan Soto was walked intentionally, and both runners moved up on a passed ball. After Bell walked, Zimmerman struck out, but a run scored on Mercer’s groundout. Avila then doubled to right, and the Nationals had a 5-1 lead.

Boston got a run with two outs in the sixth when Christian Vasquez grounded to second baseman Mercer and Verdugo beat the throw to second, allowing Jose Iglesias to score.

RELATED STORIES

Yankees clinch playoff spot with dramatic win over Rays

Yankees sweep Red Sox to take AL wildcard lead

TAGS: MLB, New York Yankees, Rafael Devers

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.