• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Red Sox-Nationals Preview

Jun 24, 2009 - 5:29 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Boston (42-27) at Washington (20-47), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The AL-leading Boston Red Sox already boast one of baseball's best home-field advantages, but they seem to have found a momentum boost nearly 500 miles away from Fenway Park.

Behind a raucous pro-Red Sox crowd, Boston cruised to an easy victory in its first game in the nation's capital since 1971, and it'll look to win a fourth straight Wednesday night when it continues a three-game set with the Washington Nationals.

The Red Sox (43-27) are 25-10 at Fenway, tying them with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best home record in the majors. But as manager Terry Francona's club began a nine-game road trip Tuesday, Boston walked into an atmosphere that was more inviting than intimidating.

Much of the largest crowd in the 14-month history of Nationals Park was there to root on the Red Sox, who were happy to oblige. Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury each had four hits and three RBIs as Boston won 11-3.

"It's something that we're used to," shortstop Nick Green said, "but this seemed like a little more than usual."

Coupled with a loss by the New York Yankees, the Red Sox moved five games ahead of their chief rivals and the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East.

"We know there's still a long ways to go," Ellsbury told the Red Sox's official Web site. "It's a tough division. We have to keep on pushing. No matter the lead, we still have to come out and play our 'A' game and hope to get that 'W.' It's nice to have a little cushion, but at the same time, we know we have to keep on pressing forward."

Another huge crowd is expected as Jon Lester (5-6, 4.69 ERA) takes the hill for Boston on Wednesday.

Lester had been 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his previous three starts, striking out 34 in 22 innings while limiting opponents to a .099 average, but he wasn't as sharp Thursday against Florida. The left-hander gave up two runs and eight hits over five innings - throwing 110 pitches - in a rain-shortened 2-1 loss that was called in the sixth.

"I think it was a difficult night," Francona said. "Things were rushed. He was even a few minutes late getting ready, just because it was difficult for him. I didn't think he commanded very well. ... (But) he still found a way to give us a chance to win. I think that says a lot."

Lester's lone start against the Nationals (20-48) came June 21, 2006, when he gave up a run and three hits over six innings - striking out 10 - in a 9-3 win.

Lester's opponent is coming off the best start of his young career. Craig Stammen (1-2, 4.76) pitched 6 1-3 innings Thursday at Yankee Stadium to pick up his first major league win in his sixth start, 3-0.

"He was sinking the ball over the plate instead of being too fine," manager Manny Acta said. "He did a very good job. He wasn't intimidated."

Stammen could use some help from his offense. The Nationals scored at least five runs for 10 straight games from May 10-19, but they've scored five once in their last 14.

Washington was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position Tuesday, dropping it to .230 this season.

"You have to take advantage when you have the opportunity to score," Acta told the Nationals' official Web site. "We didn't, again."