WASHINGTON, D.C. — Entering today’s annual Independence Day matchup, the Washington Nationals hold a 10-9 record on July 4th since 2005. Additionally, since the tradition of the 11:05 a.m. matinee game began in 2012, Washington is an even 6-6 on the Fourth of July.

However, today’s game did not add to that winning legacy, as the Nationals fell to the Boston Red Sox 11-2 at Nationals Park, managing just six hits in the loss.

The Nationals continue to struggle in day games, dropping to a 13-25 record during afternoon contests, compared to 24-26 at night. Their home record now stands at 18-26, while they are 19-25 on the road.

Right-hander Michael Soroka started for Washington, lasting 4.0 innings. He allowed seven runs on nine hits, struck out six, and walked two, raising his ERA to 5.40. Soroka threw 93 pitches, 60 for strikes. Notably, Soroka became just the second Canadian pitcher ever to start a Fourth of July game in Washington, D.C., joining Joe Krakauskas, who started for the Senators on July 4, 1940.

After Michael Soroka exited, Zach Brzykcy entered from the bullpen, but four more runs scored before the inning ended. The first two were charged to Soroka, who finished his outing with a season-high seven earned runs.

Brzykcy, whose ERA climbed to 7.40, needed 29 pitches to record three outs, offering little relief in the wake of Soroka’s abbreviated start. With the Nationals trailing 9-0, the bullpen was forced to cover significant innings just to finish the game.

The relief corps also included Ryan Loutos, who had been optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday when Andrew Chafin was activated from the injured list, but was immediately recalled after Trevor Williams landed on the IL. Tasked with finishing a game already out of reach, Loutos surrendered a two-run homer to Trevor Story (who finished with four hits) and threw 33 pitches over two innings, necessitating the use of Eduardo Salazar before the blowout loss was complete.

The Nationals’ bullpen has also struggled this season, posting a 5.89 ERA, just shy of the 6.00 mark and among the highest in MLB.

Offensively, CJ Abrams went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. Over his last 23 games, Abrams is batting .344 (33-for-96) with six doubles, a triple, four home runs, 11 RBI, 11 walks, two hit by pitches, eight stolen bases, and 23 runs scored. He has now reached base safely in 20 of his last 21 games and recorded his 19th stolen base of the season, ranking seventh in the National League.

Daylen Lile extended his hitting streak to 11 games, going 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. During this stretch, Lile is hitting .326 (14-for-43) with two doubles, two RBI, and four walks.

Former Nationals first-round pick Lucas Giolito impressed in his first career start against Washington, pitching 7.2 innings and allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out seven and walked three, throwing 108 pitches (75 strikes). Over his last five starts, Giolito has pitched 32.2 innings with a 0.83 ERA and 31 strikeouts.

Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox reached base four times during their 11-2 win over the Nationals, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, and a run scored.

The Nationals will continue their series against the Red Sox tomorrow, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m. EDT. The Nationals are scheduled to send left-handed pitcher LHP Mitchell Parker, who has a 5-8 record and an ERA of 4.63. The Nationals will face RHP Walker Buehler with a 5-6 record and a 6.45 ERA. Left-handed pitcher Mitchell Parker will be making his first career start against the Red Sox.

In other news, the Nationals announced before today’s game that Trevor Williams has been placed on the Injured List with an elbow sprain.