Hunter Renfroe snapped a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the visiting Boston Red Sox got a much-needed win, 4-2 over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

Bobby Dalbec followed Renfroe's blast with a solo home run as Boston (90-70) won for just the second time in seven games.

The Red Sox moved into sole possession of the second American League wild-card position, one game ahead of both the Seattle Mariners (89-71), who lost to the Los Angeles Angels, and the Toronto Blue Jays (89-71), who defeated the Baltimore Orioles. Boston also pulled within one game of the New York Yankees (91-69) for the first wild card. New York lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday

Boston's Eduardo Rodriguez (12-8) went five-plus scoreless innings, allowing five hits. He struck out six and walked three.

Hansel Robles worked around two walks in the ninth to earn his 13th save.

Josh Rogers (2-2) gave up four runs on seven hits for Washington, which has lost six of its last seven games.

Alcides Escobar and Jordy Mercer had solo homers for the Nationals (65-95). After Mercer's homer cut it to 4-2 in the eighth, Andrew Stevenson doubled before Adam Ottavino struck out pinch hitter Ryan Zimmerman.

Lane Thomas doubled leading off the first for Washington and Juan Soto walked with one out. Josh Bell flied to right, with both runners moving up, but Rodriguez retired Keibert Ruiz.

The Nationals loaded the bases on a Soto walk and singles by Bell and Ruiz with no outs in the fourth, but Mercer struck out, Carter Kieboom popped out and Stevenson grounded out.

Rodriguez came up with a man on first and no outs in the fifth. He popped up a bunt attempt but stayed in the box. Rogers let it drop and started a 1-6-4 double play.

The Red Sox had baserunners in each of the first six innings and finally broke through in the sixth. Xander Bogaerts singled leading off and J.D. Martinez singled with one out. Renfroe worked the count to 2-2 and then connected with a fastball for his 31st home run, a shot to left center.

Dalbec hit the first pitch he saw into the Red Sox bullpen for his 25th homer to make it 4-0.

The first two Nationals reached in the sixth, but Ryan Brasier came on to retire three straight batters.

--Field Level Media