Rays Baseball: Tampa Bay Wins Game and Series Over the Nats, 5-0

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The Tampa Bay Rays came into the final game of a three-game series with the Washington Nationals one game under .500. They took a painful loss to Washington the night before, 8-1. Starting pitcher Jake Irvin had a one-hitter. The only hit he gave up was a solo home run by Brandon Lowe. Other than that, he gave up three walks. Lowe broke his foot in Pittsburgh while the Rays were playing the Pirates. He also has a bad cold as he stated post-game telling reporters he did not want to interview because he was afraid of coughing on them. The fans, who called in during a show after the game, said they want Tampa to get four or five games over .500. They can get back to .500 today with a win over the Nationals.

Photo Credit: Bradley Walker NGSC Sports

The starting pitchers for the game were Patrick Corbin for the Nats who has a 1-7 record, 5.46 ERA with 60 strikeouts. The TB Rays countered with up-and-coming star Taj Bradley who has a 2-4 record, with a 3.81 ERA with 61 strikeouts. Once again, the Wash Nats were in their road grey and navy caps. The Rays wore baby blue tops, white pants, and navy blue caps. USF head football coach Alex Golesh threw the ceremonial first pitch. Tampa was also celebrating its mascot, Raymond’s birthday. The Rays struck first on a solo home run by first baseman Issac Paredes. Two batters later Jose Caballero hit a two-run home run to give Tampa a 3-0 early lead. Despite giving up some hits and Washington having a runner reach third base, Bradley kept them off the scoreboard.

As the game moved towards the middle innings the Rays had a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Paredes hit a triple and came around to score as Jose Siri hit a sac fly. Bradley had ten strikeouts through five innings. He has three double-digit strikeouts in 2024, the fourth in his career. Bradley left the game after 5 ⅔ innings giving up three hits, and two walks, with 11 K’s that tied his career high in strikeouts in a game. Issac Paredes was 3 for 4 and just a single base hit short of the cycle in the bottom of the sixth. As the game moved into the final three innings, Tampa led 4-0. Some insurance was added off the bat of Randy Arozarena as he disagreed with the home plate umpire on a high strike call. On the next pitch, he hit a solo home run.

18,259 was the announced attendance for the game. That was the most in the three-game series against Washington. The Rays entered the final frame leading by five runs. Everything that went wrong in game two went right on this day. It was good to see Paredes nearly hit for the cycle. Once again, Taj Bradley was great and many say that if a do-or-die playoff game happened today he would be named the starter. The Rays would win 5-0 and look great doing it. Neither team committed an error. This is the fourth straight series the Tampa Bay Rays have won.

The Rays hit the road does the momentum help them win their fifth series in a row? Leave a comment below.

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