The Washington Nationals (40-38) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (47-34) 15-6 on Wednesday afternoon in Washington. The win gives the Nats a sweep in the short two game series, and also was the Rays eighth consecutive loss on the road.
Trea Turner was the star of the night for the Nationals, hitting for the cycle on his birthday. He hit a single in the first inning, a double in the third inning, a homer in the fourth, and a triple in the sixth inning to complete the feat before leaving the game with a injury to his left pinky finger.
The Rays got a sacrifice fly RBI from Randy Arozerena and a solo home run from Yandy Diaz in the top of the first to build a 2-0 lead, but Washington answered with a two-run single from Josh Bell in the bottom of the first to tie the game up 2-2. Mike Zunino hit a two-run bomb in the third inning to give the Rays the lead back 4-2, but Washington answered again with a four-run frame in the bottom of the third.
From there the Nationals added one run in the fourth, one run in the fifth to take control of the game. They turned it into a blowout with a three-run sixth inning and a four-run eighth inning to score a total of fifteen runs against Tampa Bay, the most the Rays have allowed this season.
The Rays are now off Thursday and head to Buffalo, New York for a three game weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays. First pitch from Buffalo Friday night is scheduled for 7:07 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES