Tyler O'Neill's bloop single lifts Boston Red Sox past Chicago Cubs 5-4

BOSTON (AP) — Tyler O’Neill hit a game-ending bloop single to give the Boston Red Sox a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night.

Jarren Duran hit a two-run triple and Connor Wong drove in two runs with a pair of two-out singles, helping Boston to the win in the rubber game of weekend set. The Red Sox beat the Cubs 17-0 on Saturday.

Chicago trailed 4-1 before Mike Tauchman hit a tying three-run homer against Chris Martin in the eighth inning. Matt Mervis hit an RBI single in the seventh for the Cubs' first run of the game.

For the second straight day, a large gathering of Cubs fans that made the trip to Fenway Park were unable to wave their “W” flags, a staple after wins at Wrigley Field.

Duran led off the ninth with a walk against Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1). He raced to third on Rafael Devers’ single.

O’Neill then hit a shallow fly toward left field. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, playing with the entire infield in, tried to make sliding catch, but it went off his glove and landed in the outfield grass.

“It was awesome, you could feel the crowd buzzing out there," O'Neill said about his first walk-off hit with the Red Sox. ”I knew the infield was in. I was trying to put a good swing on anything elevated, get it in the air. It fell in there this time."

Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings. He was charged with one run and four hits.

“It's tough to know, even if he catches it, Duran being such a good runner, he may score.” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said about the final play.

Kenley Jansen (1-0) worked the ninth for the victory.

Duran’s triple into the center-field triangle made it 4-0 in the sixth.

“I had happy feet at third base,” Duran said of what he was thinking on the winning hit. “I was like: ‘Tag, no tag. Tag, no tag.’ ... I've just got to stay off because I probably wasn't going to be able to tag. I was just trying to stay off (the base) as far as possible to try and be able to score.”

Boston shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela went 1 for 4 a day after going 4 for 4 with a two-run homer and driving in seven runs.

Despite dealing with injuries to their starting rotation, the Red Sox entered the day with a majors’ best 2.63 ERA, their lowest at this point of a season since 1920.

Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu made a nice running catch on Swanson’s fifth-inning fly ball, and second baseman Enmanuel Valdez had a diving play on Nico Hoerner’s grounder the following inning.

Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya struck out swinging in the third, and his bat went flying over the protective netting. It went into the stands about 10 rows behind the Cubs’ on-deck circle, appearing to strike a fan. Medical personnel were looking at a person’s hand. They left their seat and walked away with the EMTs.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained forearm. Counsell said they hope they caught it early and it’s a “short stay.” ... Counsell said the plan for OF Cody Bellinger (two fractured ribs) is to do a “little more every day and see where that puts us.” He crashed into a wall last week. ... 3B Christopher Morel fouled a ball off his left foot but stayed in.

Red Sox: 2B Vaughn Grissom (strained left hamstring) played his second straight rehab game for Triple-A Worcester, going 4 for 4 with a walk and two RBIs. He’s expected to be activated on Tuesday. ... Masataka Yoshida said through a translator that he jammed his hand on a swing in his first at-bat. “It's something that we have to wait and see. We'll see (Monday)," he said.

WORTH NOTING

The Red Sox designated left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez for assignment and recalled right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa from Triple-A Worcester. The 30-year-old Uwasaswa was acquired from Tampa Bay on March 27. He was a three-time All Star in Japan, posting a 2.96 ERA for the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2023.

UP NEXT

Cubs: RHP Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.69 ERA) is set to open a four-game series at the Mets on Monday. RHP Luis Severino (2-2, 2.67 ERA) is slated to start for New York.

Red Sox: Off Monday. RHP Cooper Criswell (1-1, 2.38 ERA) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game series in Fenway on Tuesday against RHP Logan Webb (3-1, 2.33 ERA) and San Francisco.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers celebrates with Masataka Yoshida after scoring on an RBI single by Connor Wong during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski fields the ball on the ground out by Boston Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida reacts in front of first base coach Andy Fox, left, after hitting a single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Connor Wong reacts after hitting an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chicago Cubs' Mike Tauchman, center, celebrates after his three-run home run that also drove in Pete Crow-Armstrong (52) and Nico Hoerner, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chicago Cubs' Mike Tauchman, center, celebrates after his three-run home run that also drove in Pete Crow-Armstrong (52) as Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire, right, looks on during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill, right, watches his walkoff RBI single in front of Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya, left, during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill, center, celebrates after his walkoff RBI single with teammates during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill celebrates after his walkoff RBIi single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Singer/songwriter Noah Kahan throws a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela (43) celebrates with teammate Rafael Devers after scoring on a two-run triple by Jarren Duran during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch (29) celebrates after scoring on a single by Matt Mervis during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chicago Cubs' Christopher Morel reacts after fouling off his foot during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck heads to the dug out after retiring the side during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

CHICAGO (AP) — Erick Fedde pitched seven sparkling innings against his former team, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Washington Nationals 4-0 on Tuesday night for a doubleheader split.

Fedde allowed three hits, struck out six and walked none. The 31-year-old Fedde was selected by Washington in the first round of the 2014 amateur draft and pitched for the Nationals for six seasons.

Andrew Vaughn hit a three-run drive and a solo homer for Chicago, which improved to 10-8 since its 3-22 start to the season.

Washington won 6-3 in the doubleheader opener. Keibert Ruiz and Trey Lipscomb each hit an RBI single during the Nationals' three-run eighth inning.

Joey Meneses went 4 for 4 and drove in two runs for Washington in the first game. Lipscomb had three hits and swiped three bases.

Derek Law (3-1) got three outs for the win, and Kyle Finnegan handled the ninth for his 13th save in 14 opportunities.

The doubleheader was scheduled after Monday’s series opener was postponed by rain.

Vaughn hit his second homer of the season with two out in the third inning in the second game, connecting on a 1-1 pitch from Mitchell Parker (2-2). He went deep again in the eighth against Jackson Rutledge.

After Fedde (4-0) departed, Jordan Leasure worked the eighth and Michael Kopech finished the four-hitter.

Kopech issued consecutive walks with one out in the ninth, and the runners advanced on the reliever's second wild pitch of the inning. But Ruiz popped out and Jesse Winker lined to left.

The White Sox trailed 3-1 in the first game before pushing across two runs in the fifth against Trevor Williams. Errors by Lipscomb at third base and Eddie Rosario in left field helped set up a sacrifice fly for Braden Shewmake and a tying single for Tommy Pham.

The Nationals responded in the eighth against John Brebbia (0-2). Ruiz’s pinch-hit liner to right drove in pinch-runner Nasim Nuñez for a 4-3 lead. Lipscomb singled home Nick Senzel, and Victor Robles greeted Steven Wilson with a sacrifice fly to left.

“It was gonna be one of those games where whoever blinks first is going to be in trouble, and for us to play like we did, especially coming off a rainout and playing an early game like this, it was huge,” Williams said.

The White Sox put runners on first and second with one out in the ninth, but Zach Remillard bounced into a forceout at third and Nicky Lopez struck out looking for the final out.

Remillard was inserted into the game when rookie third baseman Bryan Ramos departed before the start of the seventh because of left quad tightness.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: On Monday, CF Luis Robert Jr. (right hip flexor strain) tried running at 90 percent, and INF Yoán Moncada (left adductor strain) began hitting left-handed. Manager Pedro Grifol has not yet received an update on either player’s progress. “No news is good news, so that means that everything went fine yesterday,” he said. ... RHP Dominic Leone (back tightness) threw a live bullpen before the first game of the doubleheader.

Nationals: Winker returned to the starting lineup after he left Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox because of back spasms.

UP NEXT

Chicago’s Garrett Crochet (3-4, 4.63 ERA) faces Washington left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-3, 5.91 ERA) on Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series. Crochet is looking for his third straight win. Corbin is going for his 99th career victory.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz scores on a sacrifice fly by Victor Robles during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of the team's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Jacob Young sits on the ground after hitting his hand while bunting during the seventh inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Tommy Pham, right, slides safely to second base by Washington Nationals second baseman Luis García Jr. and then on to third on a throwing error by catcher Riley Adams during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Tommy Pham, right, slides safely to second base by Washington Nationals second baseman Luis García Jr. and then on to third on a throwing error by catcher Riley Adams during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Bryan Ramos scores on a sacrifice fly from Braden Shewmake during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Nick Senzel scores on a single from Trey Lipscomb during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Trey Lipscomb runs the bases after hitting a single, allowing Nick Senzel to score, during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Andrew Vaughn, right, is greeted by third base coach Eddie Rodriguez as he runs the bases on a home run during the eighth inning of the second baseball game of the team's doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz scores on a sacrifice fly by Victor Robles during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of the team's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Jacob Young sits on the ground after hitting his hand while bunting during the seventh inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Tommy Pham, right, slides safely to second base by Washington Nationals second baseman Luis García Jr. and then on to third on a throwing error by catcher Riley Adams during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Tommy Pham, right, slides safely to second base by Washington Nationals second baseman Luis García Jr. and then on to third on a throwing error by catcher Riley Adams during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Bryan Ramos scores on a sacrifice fly from Braden Shewmake during the fifth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Nick Senzel scores on a single from Trey Lipscomb during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Washington Nationals' Trey Lipscomb runs the bases after hitting a single, allowing Nick Senzel to score, during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)