Nationals vs Rays Recap: Rays power past Nats 5-2

The Washington Nationals came into Tropicana Field down after losing the night before. They wanted to bounce back against the Tampa Bay Rays, who were trying to snap their own three-game losing streak. The Rays sat at 41-30 while the Nationals were 39-36. Both teams needed this win badly. In the second inning, CJ Abrams stepped up and crushed a 92-mile-per-hour cutter from Griffin Jax. The ball rocketed 412 feet to center field — gone! Abrams pumped his fist as he rounded the bases. Washington led 1-0 early. The young shortstop was bringing his dynamic speed and power to the game, giving the Nationals the early edge they desperately wanted.

Luis Garcia Jr. kept the Nationals rolling in the third inning. He hammered an 87-mile-per-hour changeup from Jax and sent it soaring 364 feet to left field. Washington led 2-0 and looked strong. But then the Rays answered back fast. Jonathan Aranda stepped to the plate with runners on. He connected on a 87-mile-per-hour changeup and launched it 334 feet to left. The ball cleared the wall and three runs scored — Feduccia and Díaz came home with him. Suddenly it was 3-2 Rays. In the fourth inning, Taylor Walls singled to center, scoring Palacios. The Rays took a 4-2 lead. Tampa Bay's bats woke up and Mikolas was struggling to keep them quiet.

The Rays kept their foot on the gas throughout the game. Miles Mikolas threw six innings for Washington but gave up five earned runs on nine hits. He was facing a tough challenge against Tampa Bay's lineup. In the eighth inning, Jonny DeLuca stepped up and delivered the final blow. He swung at an 83-mile-per-hour sweeper and crushed it 398 feet to left field. That home run made it 5-2 Rays and put the game away for good. Bryan Baker pitched the ninth inning for Tampa Bay and earned the save. The Rays won 5-2 and improved to 41-30. Washington dropped to 39-37. The loss stung but the Nationals still had a winning record. The young Nationals would get another chance to bounce back tomorrow.