BOSTON -- The struggling Washington Nationals, picked by many to go to the 2015 World Series, pounded out a 10-5 interleague victory over the Boston Red Sox to avert a three-game sweep on Wednesday.

Catcher Wilson Ramos drilled a three-run double to key a six-run third inning and shortstop Ian Desmond and left fielder Tyler Moore homered as the Nats raised their early-season record to 3-6.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez gave up five runs (four earned) in six innings but evened his record at 1-1 thanks to the offensive support on Jackie Robinson Day.

The Nationals chased left-hander Wade Miley (0-1) with the big third inning. They had four extra-base hits in the inning, starting with Desmond’s first homer of the year. His poor defense had contributed to Washington losing the first two games of the series.

Left fielder Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox (6-3).

Gonzalez gave way to right-hander Rafael Martin, who in his major league debut struck out five straight batters for the last two outs of the seventh and all three in the eighth. Drew Storen finished up.

Ramos, 4-for-24 coming in, went 2-for-5 and scored twice. Moore, 0-for-10 coming in, made outs his first two times up and then singled and homered his next two at-bats.

The Boston rotation, considered a question mark entering the season, started off well but has pitched to a 12.76 ERA over the last four games. In three of those, Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Miley have given up 22 hits and 23 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings.

Miley gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings in his first start, at Yankee Stadium. But he was pounded Wednesday. He gave up five hits, four of them crushed for extra bases. There were also three long flyouts -- the first a nifty catch by right fielder Shane Victorino.

Miley left after Ramos cleared the bases with his double. Right-hander Anthony Varvaro came on and, after a strikeout, yielded back-to-back RBI doubles by second baseman Dan Uggla and center fielder Michael Taylor.

Ramirez followed a double by second baseman Dustin Pedroia with his fourth homer of the young season, a bullet to left in the fifth.

Despite the loss, the Red Sox have won the first three series of a season for the first time since 1952. They were shooting for their first 7-2 start since 1993.

NOTES: The Red Sox stopped the game at 2:49 for a moment of silence commemorating the second anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. Victims Jeff Bauman and Patrick Downes threw out first pitches as part of a pregame ceremony. ... All players wore No. 42 in honor of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first game in the majors. ... The Nationals placed RHP Craig Stammen on the 15-day disabled list with right forearm stiffness. RHP Taylor Jordan was recalled from Triple-A. ... Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts, who missed Tuesday night's game with a knee injury, was cleared to return. Meanwhile, 3B Pablo Sandoval, hit on the left foot by a pitch Tuesday, was available but was rested. So was DH David Ortiz. Sandoval came in 0-for-12 against LHPs, Ortiz 0-for-7. ... The Nationals returned home after the game. RHP Doug Fister opens a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night. ... The Red Sox are off Thursday. RHP Joe Kelly opens a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.