Porcello Rips Three-Run Double, Out-Duels Scherzer in 4-3 Red Sox Win Over Nationals
Porcello did it all for the Red Sox in the series opener in D.C.
Jul 2, 2018; Washington, DC: Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello smiles while standing on second base after hitting a three-run double against the Washington Nationals in the second inning at Nationals Park. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsRick Porcello did it all for the Boston Red Sox on Monday night, out-pitching Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer and cracking a three-run double early on in Boston's 4-3 win in D.C.
After the Nationals loaded up the bases to get to Porcello to try to get out of a second-inning jam, the Red Sox starting pitcher took a 96-mph Scherzer fastball to deep left-center field, dropping it over the head of Nats left fielder Juan Soto. He could barely contain his smile once he reached second base with the double, which cleared the bases to give the Red Sox an early 3-0 lead.
Oh, and Porcello pitched well, too. He allowed just two hits over six innings, striking out five to improve to 10-3 on the season. Scherzer, meanwhile, pitched six innings and allowed three runs, all off the bat of Porcello.
WATCH: Rick Porcello's Bases-Clearing Double Off Max Scherzer
Mookie Betts grabbed the Red Sox an insurance run with a solo home run, his 21st of the season, off Brandon Kintzler in the seventh inning. After Bryce Harper cut the Sox' lead to 4-3 with a mammoth homer off Joe Kelly, Craig Kimbrel entered the game in the eighth inning and shut things down to earn his 25th save.
Up Next: The series continues in D.C. with the Red Sox coming off a big win in the series opener. Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.28 ERA) will take on Tanner Roark (3-9, 4.10 ERA) in game No. 2.
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