Rafaela homers as Red Sox rout Nationals 10-3 for 10,000th win in franchise history

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ceddanne Rafaela homered, Walker Buehler earned his first road victory since April 26, and the Boston Red Sox routed the Washington Nationals 10-3 to earn the 10,000th victory in franchise history Saturday.

Romy Gonzalez had three hits for Boston (45-45), which has won five of seven. The Red Sox are the second American League franchise to reach 10,000 victories, joining the New York Yankees.

Daylen Lile extended his hitting streak to 12 games for Washington (37-52), which is tied for a season-high 15 games under .500. The Nationals fell to 18-27 at home, the third-worst record in the majors behind Colorado and the Athletics.

Just as they did in Friday’s 11-2 victory over Washington, the Red Sox broke it open with a seven-run inning. Roman Anthony made it 3-0 in the third with an RBI single, and four batters later Jarren Duran hit a two-run triple.

Nationals starter Mitchell Parker (5-9) misplayed Abraham Toro’s grounder to allow Duran to score, and Rafaela hit the next pitch into the seats in left field to make it 8-0. Gonzalez tacked on a two-out RBI single to finish the outburst.

Gonzalez and Rob Refsnyder had RBI doubles in the first to open the scoring.

Buehler (6-6) allowed three runs — two earned — in five-plus innings. He improved to 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA in six lifetime appearances against Washington.

Parker tied a career high with nine runs allowed, though only four were earned. He gave up 10 hits and struck out four in six innings.

Parker’s third-inning error led to four unearned runs, expanding Boston’s lead from 5-0 to 9-0.

Washington has allowed at least 10 runs in consecutive games for the first time since April 13-14.

Boston LHP Garrett Crochet (8-4, 2.34 ERA) starts Sunday’s series finale. LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara (1-1, 4.50 in six starts at three minor league levels) will be called up to make his major league debut for Washington.

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

Boston Red Sox's Rob Refsnyder gestures at second base after hitting a a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Boston Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez, right, is greeted by Trevor Story after he scored on a double by Rob Refsnyder during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler (0) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Mitchell Parker throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)