James Wood hits a 3-run homer as the Nationals beat the Red Sox 10-2 to take the series

Nationals Red Sox Baseball Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Nationals Red Sox Baseball Washington Nationals starting pitcher Brad Lord delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Nationals Red Sox Baseball Washington Nationals' Andrés Chaparro celebrates while crossing home plate on his two-run home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Nationals Red Sox Baseball Washington Nationals' Nasim Nuñez, left, is tagged out by Boston Red Sox's Connor Wong while trying to score on a single by Curtis Mead in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Nationals Red Sox Baseball Washington Nationals' James Wood, right, is congratulated by Jacob Young after his three-run home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Extreme Heat Nationals Red Sox Baseball With temperatures in the 90's, fans cool off under the stands of Fenway Park prior to a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Extreme Heat Nationals Red Sox Baseball With temperatures in the 90's, fans cool off under the stands of Fenway Park prior to a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Extreme Heat Nationals Red Sox Baseball With temperatures in the 90's, fans cool off under the stands of Fenway Park prior to a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
(1/8)

BOSTON (AP) — James Wood belted a three-run homer for his 22nd of the season, Andrés Chaparro and Nasim Nuñez each hit their first and the Washington Nationals beat the Boston Red Sox 10-2 on Wednesday afternoon at steamy Fenway Park to take the series.

Chaparro’s was a two-run shot, and Luis García Jr. added a pinch-hit, two-run single as the Nationals rebounded to close a 4-2 trip after losing the series opener on Monday.

Boston closed a 5-2 homestand after sweeping a four-game series against the Yankees.

The temperature was 95 degrees Fahrenheit on the game’s first pitch. Most of the lower bowl and bleacher seats in the sun were empty, except for a large “Tarps Off” group in right, by the eighth inning.

The game didn’t have any carryover from Tuesday, when the dugouts and bullpens emptied after Nationals starter Cade Cavalli yelled ‘’Sit down, boy’’ at Boston’s Willson Contreras after he struck him out. Cavalli apologized before the game Wednesday.

Wood homered just over the Green Monster, making it 10-0 in the seventh.

Andrew Alvarez (2-1) worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits, after opener Brad Lord got the first seven outs.

Chaparro’s drive into the Monster seats made it 2-0 in the first. Nuñez’s shot – also into the Monster seats off Payton Tolle (4-6) – sparked a five-run fourth inning.

Coming off a splendid start in his previous outing when he retired the first 16 batters in a victory over the Yankees, Tolle was tagged for six runs and seven hits in three-plus innings.

Up next

Nationals: LHP Foster Griffin (8-2, 2.92 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday when they open a three-game home series against Pittsburgh.

Red Sox: LHP Jake Bennett (2-3, 3.27) is in line to start Friday’s series opener at the Los Angeles Angels against RHP Reid Detmers (3-5, 3.88).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up