Red Sox Blow Series to Nationals Due to Awful Relief Pitching

The Red Sox blow the series to the Nationals after winning the first game, then losing the next two due to awful relief pitching. The Sox did well offensively in the first and final games, but their pitching cost them the series.

Game 1: Red Sox win 5-4

In the first game of the series, the Red Sox managed to get the win 5-4. After leading off with a home run by Alex Verdugo, the Nationals managed to get four runs in the third after the Sox scored two, making it 4-3. The Sox then scored another two, and held the score there for the win.

Nick Pivetta started and got blown up with the four runs, and the relievers after him did much better, with Kenley Jansen getting the save. However, this would be the only instance of the relievers doing good this series.

Game 2: Nationals win 6-2

The Nationals led this game early, being up 2-0 for a majority of the game. Then in the top of the eighth, Pablo Reyes hit a two-run homer to tie the game.

The Red Sox put in Garrett Whitlock in the bottom of the eighth, with the hope he would shut batters down, but this is where the Red Sox blow the series. The Nats managed to load two of the bases when Keibert Ruiz hit a three-run homer. Stone Garrett followed that homer with one of his own, getting two homers on the night.

The Red Sox did not manage to score any runs in the ninth, losing the game 6-2.

Game 3: Nationals win 10-7

The finale of this series seemed like a sure win for the Nats. After Red Sox ace Chris Sale left the game giving up only one run, the relievers came in and got lit up. Giving up five runs in one inning and three in the next, the Red sox were down 9-1.

However, that did not stop them from trying to come back. The Sox got the bases loaded, and Luis Urias managed to get a grand slam, making 9-5. Then two batters later, Rafael Devers hits his first bomb in a while, making it 9-7.

This did not stop the Nats though, as they scored another run in the eighth. The Red Sox managed to get two on base and make it to the heart of their order, but they fell short and lost 10-7.

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Featured Image courtesy of Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

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