The Tampa Bay Rays (47-33) fell to the Washington Nationals (39-38) 4-3 on Tuesday night in Washington, DC.
The Nationals took control of this game early thanks to the long ball. Kyle Schwarber hit a home run to give Washington a 1-0 lead in the first, before Juan Soto added a two run blast before the inning ended to make it 3-0. The Nationals added a Victor Robles solo homer in the second to get all the offense they would need.
The Rays got a homer from Brandon Lowe in the fifth, and a RBI double from Kevin Kiermaier in the sixth, before Mike Zunino hit a solo homer in the ninth to pull within 4-3. However, Brad Hand would shut the door in the ninth inning for his eighteenth save for the Nationals.
Rich Hill (6-3, 3.70) took the loss after pitching six innings in which he allowed four earned runs on eight while striking out two and walking one. Joe Ross (5-7, 4.02) picked up the win after allowing only two earned runs on six hits in six and a third innings while striking out seven and walking two.
The Rays and Nationals now wrap up their short two game series on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 4:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 3:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES