World Series: Red Sox hold off Dodgers in Game 1

Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox never trailed, but had to hold off the Los Angeles Dodgers for a win in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday at Fenway Park in Boston.

Boston's dagger came on a three-run home run from Eduardo Nunez in the bottom of the seventh inning. Nunez walked up to the plate to face Dodgers reliever Alex Wood with two outs in the frame. He took Wood deep to left field for a 373-foot shot with an exit velocity of 107-mph, according to Statcast. The bomb gave Boston a four-run lead, which it would not surrender.

Andrew Benintendi went 4-for-5 for the Red Sox. Ace pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Chris Sale were chased from the game in the fifth frame, with the Dodgers star allowing seven hits and five runs. Sale surrendered five hits and three runs, but the Red Sox bullpen allowed just three hits and one score over the final five innings.

Dodgers slugger Manny Machado went 1-for-3 with three RBIs in the loss.

Benintendi hit an RBI single off of Kershaw in the bottom of the first inning to give Boston a 1-0 lead. J.D. Martinez brought in the Red Sox's second run with an RBI single in the same inning.

Matt Kemp attempted to bring the Dodgers back, cutting the deficit in half with a solo home run in the top of the second frame. Machado plated Justin Turner to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the third inning.

But J.D. Martinez ripped an RBI double in the bottom of the third frame to give Boston a 3-2 advantage. Machado would the game again for the Dodgers with an RBI ground out in the top of the fifth inning, but then to Dodgers started piling on.

Xander Bogaerts brought in Mookie Betts when he grounded into a force out in the fifth frame, giving the Red Sox a 4-3 advantage. Rafael Devers made the score 5-3 with an RBI single later in the inning.

Machado plated another Dodgers run with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning, cutting the deficit to one run once again.

But this time the Dodgers couldn't rally.

Wood gave up Nunez's three-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh inning. That shot gave the Red Sox their final four-run advantage.

Game 2 of the 2018 World Series is set for 8:09 p.m. on Wednesday in Boston.

Moments from the World Series

Boston Red Sox celebrate after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 5 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Boston Red Sox Mookie Betts holds up the Commissioners Trophy. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The Red Sox celebrate after beating the Dodgers. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox closer Chris Sale celebrates with Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (7) after striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox Mookie Betts celebrates hitting a solo home run off Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox Steve Pearce celebrates with J.D. Martinez (28) at home plate following a two run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the first inning. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers David Freese (R) slides into third base with a triple in the third ining as Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (L) takes the late throw in game five. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce strokes a game tying solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in game four at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Red Sox hold a 2-1 series lead over the Dodgers. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

\Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt (R) celebrates scoring with teammate Ian Kinsler during the ninth inning against the Dodgers in game four. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers starter Rich Hill (75) surrounded by his infield from left to right, catcher Austin Barnes, Justin Turner, Manny Machado, Kike Hernandez, and Max Muncy waits to being relieved against the Red Sox during the top of the seventh inning. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The Los Angeles Dodgers team along with the Boston Red Sox, the umpires and every fan in the stadium stand holding "I stand for Cancer" event following the fifth inning. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez reacts after being hit near the right elbow on a pitch from Dodger pitcher Rich Hill during the third inning. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (C) gets doused with gatorade after hitting a walk off solo home run during the eighteenth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday. The Dodgers held off the Red Sox winning 3-2 in eighteen innings but still trail 2-1 in the series. Game three set a World Series record for longest game both in time and innings. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (13) scores against Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon to tie the game during the thirteenth inning. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal strikes out swinging during the seventh inning against the Red Sox. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers Matt Kemp (C) watches during team introductions before playing the Red Sox in game three. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (L) grounds out during the eighth inning against Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce in game two of the world series at Fenway Park in Boston on Wednesday. The Red Sox hold a 2-0 series lead after beating the Dodgers 4-2. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel flashes "two" after retiring the Dodgers in game two. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (R) celebrates next after hitting a double off the wall in left field during the seventh inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (top) yells as he scores on DH J.D. Martinez's bases loaded single driving in two runs against the Dodgers during the fifth inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers shortstop Manny Machaco (8) receives a head pat from teammate Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a go-ahead run during the fourth inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig hits an RBI single scoring teammate Manny Machado from second base against the Red Sox. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (L) gestures after double against the Dodgers during the second inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson (31) and Justin Turner (10) can't field the double by Boston Red Sox's Andrew Benintendi during the eighth inning in Game 1 at Fenway Park in Boston on Tuesday. Boston won 8-4. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Dodgers' Max Muncy (13) scores behind Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon (3) during the seventh inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox's Eduardo Nunez (R) celebrates his 3-RBI home run with J.D. Martinez (28) during the seventh inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox's Steve Pearce is forced out by Dodgers' second baseman Brian Dozier (6) on an attempted double play during the fifth inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

Red Sox's Mitch Moreland singles during the third inning. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

A Red Sox mascot poses for a photo on Jersey Street before Game 1. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

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