BOSTON — Xander Bogaerts hit an early three-run homer and Boston’s bullpen finished with 6 2/3 scoreless innings, lifting the Red Sox over the Washington Nationals 5-3 Saturday.

Kevin Pillar added a solo homer and triple for Boston, which had lost four of its last five.

Trea Turner went 5 for 5 with two doubles to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games for the Nationals. It was his third career five-hit game, after he went 3 for 5 in a series-opening win Friday.

As the AL East-worst Red Sox approach a trade deadline that could lead to more changes, they combined decent pitching with a couple key hits for just their 11th win in 33 games of this shortened season.

The defending World Series champion Nationals, last in the NL East, have dropped four of five.

Bogaerts homered off the back wall in deep left center int the first inning after Alex Verdugo singled and J.D. Martinez doubled off the Green Monster.

Pillar tripled leading off the second and scored on Jackie Bradley Jr.’s slow roller to first.

Ryan Brasier (1-0), the fifth of six relievers, was credited with the victory. Matt Barnes recorded the final three outs for his third save.

Washington starter Aníbal Sánchez (1-4) labored through five-plus innings, giving up five runs on eight hits after holding the Miami Marlins to a run over seven in his last start.

The Nationals sliced it to 4-3 against starter Chris Mazza in the third, with the first run scoring when the pitcher flipped the ball from his glove over first baseman Mitch Moreland’s head trying to get an out. Howie Kendrick and Adam Eaton each had RBI singles.

Pillar homered over the Monster in the fourth, letting out a brief yell after the crack of the bat.

Making his second career start after being recalled before the game, Mazza gave up three runs in 2 2/3 innings.

SURPRISES HIM, TOO

Martinez entered the game hitting just .205 with only three homers and 15 RBI after putting up big numbers his first two seasons with the club.

“It’s just hard because we’re just not used to seeing him doing that,” Boston Manager Ron Roenicke said before the game.

In his first two seasons since signing a $110 millon, five-year deal with the club, Martinez hit .330 and .304, respectively, with a combined 79 homers and 235 RBI.

Known for his extensive video work, he’s unable to retreat to the video room during games after MLB shut them down from players and coaches because of guidelines for coronavirus safety.

NEW HIGH

Kurt Suzuki extended his hitting streak to a career-best 11 games.

NEW HELP

The Nationals signed former Boston utility player Brock Holt to a one-year contract. Holt, 32, played for the Red Sox for seven years but signed a free-agent deal with Milwaukee during the offseason. He was released by the Brewers this week after hitting just .100 in 16 games.

He struck out pinch hitting in the ninth after the Red Sox played his old walk-up song when he was announced.

 

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