Nationals use defensive play to top Red Sox

Armando Cruz's glove was the difference in Fredericksburg being able to hold off Salem on Sunday at Salem Memorial Ballpark.

Cruz knocked down Natanael Yuten's sharp-hit single up the middle. Cruz was able to recover and easily throw out Nelly Taylor at the plate to preserve the Nationals' 2-1 win to conclude the six-game series.

Cruz's glove was knocked off his hand on the play, but the ball stayed near Cruz in shallow center field. Taylor was waved around third on the play, and the throw easily beat Taylor to the plate.

The triumph ensured the Nationals (41-34) claimed the series win over the Red Sox (38-37).

Albert Feliz hit a solo homer in the eighth inning to account for Salem's lone run.

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (2-4) suffered the loss. He allowed one unearned run on three hits and struck out nine over a season-high six innings.

The Nationals used four homers, highlighted by two solo homers from Elijah Green, to win 6-4 on Saturday night.

Green, Brandon Pimentel and Roismar Quintana each homered in Fredericksburg's three-run fifth inning as it took a 5-2 lead.

Antonio Anderson and Stanley Tucker had two hits apiece for the Red Sox.

Salem opens a six-game series at Lynchburg at 6:30 p.m. Monday.