Sunday, 4 a.m.
In the history of bad days, there is a new candidate.
Shawn Armstrong, say hello to the sixth inning.
Armstrong, the veteran Rays’ reliever, had one of the most forgettable days of his career I Saturday’s 8-1 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Nationals.
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He faced eight batters. He gave up seven hits (and a screaming line drive to center). He gave up six runs. He gave up a double and a triple. He allowed Washington to turn a 2-1 lead into a cakewalk.
And how do you spell relief?
The Rays, who had fought their way back to .500 before the game, didn’t have much to show for Saturday. Offensively, they managed just two hits. They gave up 13, including a double and a home run to C.J. Abrams.
Rays’ first baseman Yandy Diaz had his hitting streak snapped at 20, thanks in part to a catch of a liner by the Nationals’ Joey Meneses.
Rays starter Aaron Civale pitched one of his better games, allowing just two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. Still, he took the loss and fell to 2-6.
The Rays and Nationals play again today at Tropicana Field at 1:40 p.m. Taj. Bradley is scheduled to start for the Rays against Patrick Corbin.