The Tampa Bay Rays (5-0) defeated the Washington Nationals (1-4) 10-6 on Tuesday evening in Washington, DC. The Rays improve their franchise best start to five straight wins to begin the 2023 campaign.
The Rays started hot once again in this one, building a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Unfortunately Rays starter Josh Fleming was unable to hold the lead, giving up five earned runs on ten hits in three innings while striking out two and walking one. When he was pulled from the game with no out in the fourth inning, the Rays trailed 5-4 leaving Fleming on the hook to take the loss.
After the Nationals added a run in the seventh to make it 6-4, it appeared the Rays may be heading to their first loss oof the season. The Rays weren't done yet, though - after getting a run to in the eighth to make it 6-5, Tampa Bay pulled off a ninth inning comeback. Back-to-back solo homers from Luke Raley and Brandon Lowe turned a 6-5 Nationals lead into a 7-6 Rays lead. Yandy Diaz put an exclamation point on this one with a three-run homer that made it 10-6.
Josh Fleming allowed five earned on ten hits in his start, lasting only three innings while striking out two and walking one. Ryan Thompson (1-0, 0.00) got the win out of the bullpen after working a perfect eighth inning.
The Rays will now look to sweep the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon in Washington DC. First pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Inside Pitch hosted by Jay Recher and Zac Blobner on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
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