Gray struggles, Red Sox beat Nationals 5-4 in series opener

**Red Sox Nationals Baseball** Boston Red Sox's Alex Verdugo, right, celebrates with third base coach Carlos Febles, left, after hitting a home run against the Washington National during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

**Red Sox Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams, right, steals second base next to Boston Red Sox second baseman Pablo Reyes during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

**Red Sox Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals starting pitcher Josiah Gray delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

**Red Sox Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals designated hitter Joey Meneses celebrates after scoring against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

**Red Sox Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals relief pitcher Robert Garcia delivers during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

**Red Sox Nationals Baseball** Washington Nationals' Dominic Smith, left, reacts to a called strike during an at-bat in the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against he Boston Red Sox, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Verdugo led off the game with a homer and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Boston, which remained three games behind Toronto for the American League’s last wild-card spot, has won six of eight. The Red Sox improved to 9-1 at Nationals Park.

Stone Garrett and Keibert Ruiz each drove in two runs for the Nationals, who had won 12 of their last 14 at home.

After Verdugo’s ninth home run and second career leadoff blast, Triston Casas made it 3-0 with a two-run single in the third off Josiah Gray (7-10). Washington responded in the bottom of the inning as Ruiz and Garrett delivered two-run doubles.

The Red Sox chased Gray after Jarren Duran led off the fourth with a single and Pablo Reyes followed with a double. Duran scored on Verdugo’s sacrifice fly, and Reyes came in on reliever Robert Garcia’s wild pitch.

John Schreiber (2-1) pitched a scoreless sixth inning. He was the second of five Boston relievers who combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Kenley Jansen handled the ninth for his 28th save and has converted all 17 of his save opportunities on the road.

Gray allowed five runs in three-plus innings, his shortest outing of the season. The Nationals’ lone All-Star has not completed five innings in his last three starts, and his ERA has jumped from 3.27 to 3.96 in that span.

Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta yielded four runs in 4 1/3 innings while striking out seven.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: Washington activated RHP Hunter Harvey (elbow) from the injured list and optioned LHP Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A Rochester. Harvey pitched a 1-2-3 ninth Tuesday in his first outing since July 14. La Sorsa was 1-0 with a 6.61 ERA in 15 games with the Nationals. … RHPs Tanner Rainey (Tommy John surgery) and Mason Thompson (left knee) threw simulated games.

MAN OF STEAL

Washington SS CJ Abrams hit the 30-steal plateau with a swipe of second base in the first inning. He is the fifth National with a 30-steal season, joining Trea Turner (four times), Nyjer Morgan, Alfonso Soriano and Denard Span.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: LHP James Paxton (7-3, 3.36 ERA), who threw 5 1/3 shutout innings Thursday to beat Kansas City, draws the start Wednesday as the series continues.

Nationals: LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.62) is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in his last three starts at home.

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