BOSTON – Bobby Valentine called for a review and can just about count on getting one.

Valentine’s ejection and heated argument with umpire Al Porter, then what the Boston manager said afterward, are expected to get a long look from major league officials.

Valentine was kicked out of the game with two outs in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to Washington, completing a three-game sweep by the Nationals.

Valentine said his frustration had been building throughout the weekend, culminating with a face-to-face tirade with Porter.

“It’s not right,” Valentine said. “Good umpires had a real bad series this series — a real bad series — and it went one way. There should be a review.”

Valentine was still fuming over a call in the top of the ninth when Roger Bernadina’s two-out double drove home Bryce Harper from first with the go-ahead run.

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Valentine felt Bernadina should have been called out on Alfredo Aceves’ 2-2 fastball.

Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who struck out four times, backed Valentine, although he chose his words much more carefully.

“Nobody’s perfect and we understand that,” Saltalamacchia said. “We’re not asking to expand the strike zone. We’re not asking him to completely tighten it up. We’re just asking for him to be equal on both sides.”

Danny Espinosa doubled twice and drove in two runs for the Nationals.

Harper, Washington’s rookie phenom, was out of the starting lineup because of tightness in his back. He pinch-hit for Tyler Moore with one out in the ninth and drew a walk from Aceves.

Aceves (0-4) struck out Jesus Flores for the second out, but Bernadina doubled to the right-field corner and Harper scored all the way from first.

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Reliever Tom Gorzelanny (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and Tyler Clippard closed the game with his third save of the series, striking out Dustin Pedroia to end it.

The Nationals franchise had never won a game at Fenway before this weekend. The Montreal Expos went 0-6 at Fenway, and the Nationals were 0-3 since the franchise’s move to Washington.

David Ortiz hit his 14th homer of the season for the Red Sox, who couldn’t hang on to a 2-1 lead. Espinosa hit a two-out double with two runners on in the seventh, putting Washington up 3-2.

Boston tied it in the bottom half after Ryan Sweeney and Nick Punto hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Sweeney came home on a fielder’s choice by Scott Podsednik. 

NOTES: The Red Sox have placed reliever Rich Hill on the 15-day disabled list because of tightness in his left elbow. Hill had Tommy John surgery on the elbow a year ago and will be examined today. Boston recalled right-hander Mark Melancon from Triple-A Pawtucket to replace Hill.

Hill (1-0) has made 17 relief appearances this season and has an ERA of 2.63 ERA over 132/3 innings.

Melancon has been at Pawtucket since the Red Sox optioned him there on April 18. He had 11 saves with the PawSox. …

Daniel Nava was a late scratch from the Red Sox lineup because of a sore left hand. Darnell McDonald replaced Nava in left field, and Podsednik moved into the leadoff spot.

 


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