MLB: Boston 6, Washington 4

The Red Sox overcame an early 1-0 deficit on a three-run blast by Ortiz in the fourth and Varitek added a two-run shot in the sixth to make it 6-1.

Boston won its fourth straight.

Jon Lester (6-6) lasted six innings to get the victory, giving up three runs on six hits. Jonathan Papelbon threw 11 pitches in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 17th save.

The Nationals, who are stuck on 20 victories, lost their third in a row. The setback went to Craig Stammen (1-3), who surrendered six runs on seven hits in 5 1/3.

The home run by Ortiz boosted his career RBI total to 1,000. The teams played before a stadium-record crowd of 41,530, breaking the previous mark that had been set Tuesday.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.