Contreras and Durbin homer as Red Sox extend win streak to 5 games with 6-3 win over Nationals

BOSTON (AP) — Wilson Contreras hit a three-run homer, Caleb Durbin added a home run of his own, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Monday to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.

Contreras opened the scoring for Boston with his 18th homer of the year to jump out to a 3-1 lead before Durbin followed with a solo shot to left two batters later. Contreras had his night cut early, however, after being ejected in the third inning for mocking the ABS challenge helmet tap on a checked swing strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu plated Tsung-Che Cheng with a sacrifice fly in the second, and Carlos Narváez added a sac-fly of his own in the third to complete the scoring.

Ranger Suarez (4-3) pitched six innings and struck out eight while giving up three runs on five hits. The team has had 12 consecutive quality starts, two shy of the franchise record of 14 set in 1988. Boston starters are 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA over the last 12 games.

James Wood hit his 21st homer of the year, a 441-foot solo shot to right in the first inning, and CJ Abrams tacked on a bases-loaded, two-run double in the sixth to break an 0-for-15 slump.

Miles Mikolas (2-7) surrendered six runs on nine hits in seven innings while striking out three for the Nationals.

The Red Sox have won 8 of their last 11.

Washington RHP Cade Cavalli (4-4, 4.00 ERA) squares off against Boston LHP Connelly Early (7-5, 3.59) in game two of the series on Tuesday.

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Boston Red Sox's Anthony Seigler, left, reacts to his dugout after hitting a double as Washington Nationals first baseman Luis García Jr. (2) looks on during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy, left, argues with umpire Nic Lentz, right, after Lentz ejected Red Sox's Willson Contreras for contesting a call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Boston Red Sox's Andruw Monasterio (32) celebrates with teammate Ceddanne Rafaela after defeating the Washington Nationals in a baseball game, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy, right, holds back Willson Contreras, center, after Contreras was thrown out for contesting a call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

TORONTO (AP) — The first half of the season has been a messy one for the last-place New York Mets.

Now, even the routine plays aren't routine.

Toronto designated hitter George Springer rounded the bases on a Little League home run against the Mets on Monday night when New York star left fielder Juan Soto misplayed a sinking line drive and center fielder A.J. Ewing flubbed the throw backing up the play.

Springer led off the bottom of the first by looping a ball to left against Mets pitcher Sean Manaea. The ball bounced in front of Soto, and the highest-paid player in Mets history fanned while reaching for it.

“It just took a weird hop on me and bounced a little different,” Soto said. “I thought I had a chance and then it just kept dying. I definitely took a good first step but the ball kept just dying.”

The ball rolled all the way to the wall as the 36-year-old Springer chugged around the bases.

Ewing came over to field it behind Soto, only to have the ball slip out of his glove as he tried to pick it up. The ball rolled back to the fence for a second time. Soto picked it up, but by the time he had it in his hand, Springer had rounded third and was heading for home.

Interim Mets manager Andy Green said Soto played Springer's ball aggressively but was beaten by a turf bounce.

“I think every single time I’ve come to Toronto I’ve seen that particular play,” Green said. “Not necessarily the finish of that play. I know A.J. usually makes the transfer fine, but that play happens frequently here and it got us in the first."

Springer was given a triple, his first of the year, with a one-base error. The error was Ewing's second of the season. Shortstop Francisco Lindor made an error later in the game, boosting New York's total to 56 on the season, third-most in the majors behind the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer, right, celebrates with teammate Nathan Lukes (38) as he comes in to score after hitting a triple on an in-field home run after a fielding error by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 29, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer runs home after hitting a triple on an in-field home run after a fielding error by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 29, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)