The Washington Nationals (39-38) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (42-31) 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field to even the three game interleague series.
The Rays got an early lead from a sacrifice fly from Junior Caminero in the first inning. Washington answered with two in the second inning, including a solo home run from CJ Abrams. In the third inning Chandler Simpson hit a RBI single to tie the game 2-2.
Washington got the lead back in the fifth inning on a RBI groundout from Andres Chaparro. Dylan Crews added a solo home run in the ninth inning to add some insurance that made it 4-2. The Rays got one back in the bottom of the ninth with a RBI single from Yandy Diaz that made it 4-3, which would prove to be the final score.
The Rays and Nationals now meet in the rubber game of the three-game series coming up on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 1:40 PM on Sunday afternoon - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week in Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES