WASHINGTON (AP) — Chris Sale couldn't make it through the fifth inning in his second start back from a shoulder injury, and the Boston Red Sox suffered another blow to their playoff hopes, losing 10-7 to the last-place Washington Nationals on Thursday.
Luis Urías hit a grand slam in the seventh inning as Boston tried to rally from eight runs down, a two-out shot to left-center off Robert Garcia. It was the first career grand slam for Urías, who was acquired from Seattle at the trade deadline. Two batters later, Rafael Devers added a 453-foot, two-run homer to get the Red Sox within 9-7.
Trailing 10-7 entering the ninth, Boston made one last push against Kyle Finnegan. Connor Wong led off with a single and pinch-hitter Jarren Duran broke out of a 2-for-27 slump with a double. But Finnegan retired the next three batters to secure his 19th save in 26 chances.
Sale (5-3) was expected to throw about 75 pitches but was lifted with one out in the fifth after he walked Washington's No. 8 and 9 batters and retired Lane Thomas on a flyball with his 65th offering.
Josh Winckowski came in and gave up a tiebreaking two-run double to Joey Meneses, the first of four straight hits by the Nationals, who scored five times in the inning.
The Red Sox fell to 7-8 in August. They slipped 3 1/2 games behind AL East rival Toronto for the final wild-card spot and are fourth in the AL East, ahead of only the imploding Yankees. Boston heads to New York for a three-game series against its rival starting Friday.
Meneses drove in five runs and Patrick Corbin (8-11) pitched six sharp innings for rebuilding Washington, which took two of three from Boston. The Nationals have won 14 of 17 at home and improved to 21-13 since July 8.
Keibert Ruiz went 3 for 3 for Washington, extending his hitting streak to seven games. He is 13 for 28 over that span. Stone Garrett drove in three runs.
Rookie Triston Casas hit his 20th homer of the season for the Red Sox in the third, Boston's only run against Corbin.
Sale was charged with three runs, two earned. He gave up two hits, walked three and struck out three.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: Manager Alex Cora said the team was providing support for Duran, who indicated on social media that he was struggling mentally. He was out of the lineup Wednesday and Thursday against left-handed starters. He will be in the lineup this weekend against the Yankees, Cora said. ... Justin Turner, limited to DH duty because of a bone bruise in his left heel, got the day off.
Nationals: OF Victor Robles, out since June 21 with lumbar spine back spasms, still has not resumed baseball activities.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: Begin a three-game series Friday at the Yankees. RHP Brayan Bello (8-7, 3.81 ERA) starts for Boston. New York has not announced a starter.
Nationals: Host Philadelphia on Friday in the opener of a series that will conclude with Sunday's Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Joan Adon (1-0, 5.15) is set to start for Washington against Michael Lorenzen (7-7, 3.23), who will be making his first start since he no-hit the Nationals at Philadelphia on Aug. 9.
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