Willson Contreras hit a three-run homer and Boston used key extra-base hits to beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Monday, extending the Red Sox win streak to a season-high five games.
BOSTON — The Red Sox didn’t just keep winning; they kept stacking damage early. Willson Contreras launched a three-run homer to put Boston in front, and the offense added more as Boston beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Monday to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.
Contreras opened the scoring with his 18th homer of the year, jumping the Red Sox out to a 3-1 lead. Two batters later, Caleb Durbin followed with a solo shot to left, pushing Boston further ahead. The night turned tense in the third inning when Contreras was ejected after mocking the ABS challenge helmet tap on a checked swing strikeout.
Boston still found a steady rhythm after that. Wilyer Abreu plated Tsung-Che Cheng with a sacrifice fly in the second, and Carlos Narváez added a sac-fly of his own in the third to complete the scoring.
On the mound. Ranger Suárez delivered for Boston. pitching six innings and striking out eight while giving up three runs on five hits. The Red Sox have now logged 12 consecutive quality starts, sitting two short of the franchise record of 14 set in 1988. Boston’s starters have also gone 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA over the last 12 games.
The lineup kept moving, too. James Wood connected for his 21st homer of the year with a 441-foot solo shot to right in the first inning. CJ Abrams then ended a rough stretch with a bases-loaded, two-run double in the sixth after going 0-for-15.
For Washington, Miles Mikolas took the loss, surrendering six runs on nine hits over seven innings while striking out three.
The Red Sox’s momentum is building: they’ve won eight of their last 11 games.
Game two of the series is set for Tuesday, with Washington RHP Cade Cavalli (4-4, 4.00 ERA) facing Boston LHP Connelly Early (7-5, 3.59).
Boston Red Sox Washington Nationals Willson Contreras Caleb Durbin Ranger Suárez Miles Mikolas Cade Cavalli Connelly Early MLB
Five straight is nice but why was the dude ejected over some helmet tap thing lol
I didn’t even know Contreras was still on the Red Sox? That ejection part sounds wild, like baseball is still mad about tech helmet taps?? also 441 ft homer is crazy
So Contreras mocks the ABS helmet and gets thrown out but it says it was a checked swing strikeout? That feels backwards to me. Like if it’s “ABS” shouldn’t it be able to see everything? either way Red Sox bats were doing work
Ngl I skimmed, but the part about them having 12 straight quality starts got me thinking… doesn’t every team have quality starts when they’re winning? Like what’s the point of the stat then. Also James Wood 21st homer?? I swear Washington never has anyone decent anymore