BOSTON — The Red Sox entered Saturday ranked 23rd in batting average with runners in scoring position (.238), 19th in on-base percentage (.322) and 21st in slugging percentage (.365).
Rafael Devers entered 5-for-24 (.208) with runners in scoring position and 3-for-12 (.250) with runners in scoring position and two outs. He also entered 6-for-30 (.200) with two outs.
But the slugger delivered a huge two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning to lead Boston to a 4-2 victory over the Nationals here Saturday. With runners at first and second, he smashed one off the Green Monster right after Washington intentionally walked Tyler O’Neill to get to Devers for the left-on-left matchup.
Kenley Jansen closed it in the ninth with his 426th career save.
Fanatics Sportsbook
10X$100 BONUS BET
BET MATCH BONUS
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)
Red Sox starter Cooper Criswell posted a career-high nine strikeouts. He tossed 5 innings, allowing two runs, three hits (two solo homers) and just one walk.
The 27-year-old righty has a 2.10 ERA in six outings (five starts) this season after beginning the year at Triple-A Worcester.
He threw 30 changeups, 24 sinkers, 15 sweepers and 10 cutters. He got 12 swings-and-misses, including seven whiffs with his changeup. He landed 52 of his 79 pitches (65.8%) for strikes.
The Red Sox tied it 1-1 in the third inning when Wilyer Abreu crushed a 95.3 mph fastball from Nationals starter Jake Irvin 400 feet with a 106.5 mph exit velocity into the right field stands.
Boston tied it again in the bottom of the fifth inning after falling behind 2-1 in the top half. Jarren Duran doubled to left field, scoring David Hamilton.
Sunday’s series finale
The three-game series finale will be Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Red Sox righty Brayan Bello (3-1, 3.04 ERA) will return from the 15-day injured list to start opposite Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore (2-3, 3.44 ERA).
