E-Rod, Red Sox Blank Nationals In Fourth Of July Matinee

Eduardo Rodriguez tossed six solid innings to lead the Red Sox to a 3-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Independence Day at Nationals Park.

Rodriguez pitched six shutout innings of three-hit ball with one walk and six strikeouts.

He lowered his ERA to 3.84 and improved his record to 10-3, matching his career-high in wins, which was set in his rookie season of 2015.

The Red Sox scratched together a pair of runs to break a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh, with Rafael Devers scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jackie Bradley Jr. and Eduardo Nunez crossing the plate on a wild pitch by Ryan Madson.

Bradley added an RBI double to center field in the top of the ninth.

Matt Barnes and Joe Kelly each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, while Craig Kimbrel allowed two hits and struck out two in the ninth to earn his 26th save.

With the win, the Red Sox complete a three-game sweep of the Nationals. Boston will open a road series with the Kansas City Royals on Friday.