Red Sox crush Nationals 10-3 on July 5, 2025, for their 10,000th win! Ceddanne Rafaela's 3-run HR and a big night from Romy González sealed the historic victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It wasn't just another Saturday night win. The Boston Red Sox's 10-3 drubbing of the Washington Nationals was a victory etched in the annals of baseball history, marking the 10,000th regular-season win for the storied franchise. On a night celebrating a legacy that spans generations, the current squad showed a glimpse of a bright future, putting on an offensive clinic to pull back to .500 on the season and join an elite club.
It’s a testament to the legacy and tradition of this organization.
The game was decided in a single, explosive frame. The Red Sox turned a tight contest into a laugher with a massive 7-run third inning. The rally was a full team effort, with Romy González (who finished 3-for-5) and top prospect Roman Anthony delivering key hits. The exclamation point came from Ceddanne Rafaela, whose three-run blast put the game, and the milestone, firmly in Boston's grasp. Walker Buehler did his part on the mound, battling through 5.2 innings to earn the historic win before the bullpen shut the door.
While the win was a team effort, Ceddanne Rafaela was the undisputed star of the show. His 2-for-4 night, featuring his 10th home run of the season and 3 RBIs, continues a breakout campaign for the dynamic center fielder. No longer just a defensive wizard, Rafaela has become a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat, providing a crucial blend of power and speed that has energized the lineup all season long.
The future was on display in more places than just D.C. Down in Double-A Portland, left-handed phenom Payton Tolle put on another electrifying performance, striking out eight batters over just four innings. The 2024 draftee's meteoric rise is becoming the stuff of legend. In the same game, good news came from the rehab front, as Tanner Houck looked sharp, tossing five scoreless innings. Masataka Yoshida also got his reps in, going 1-for-4, while shortstop Mikey Romero added to the power display with his eighth homer of the year.
The pipeline is brimming with talent. Tolle's dominance has already vaulted him to the organization's No. 5 prospect and into the national Top 50. He joins an elite group led by outfielder Roman Anthony—who will represent the Sox at the All-Star Futures Game—and shortstop Marcelo Mayer. With players like Anthony already contributing in the majors and arms like Tolle on the fast track, the foundation for the next era of Red Sox baseball looks stronger than ever.
Reaching 10,000 wins is a moment to celebrate the past, but Saturday's victory felt just as much about the future. With the team back at .500, young stars like Rafaela and Anthony making an impact, and a wave of high-end talent rising through the minors, the second half of the season is shaping up to be a compelling watch. The Red Sox aren't just celebrating a milestone; they're building towards the next 10,000.
