Saturday, 4 a.m.
How in the name of Houdini did the Tampa Bay Rays win this one?
This was a game where the Washington Nationals camped out on the bases. It was one where they kept threatening. It was one where you figured the Rays would eventually give up the big hit.
The Rays beat the Washington Nationals 4-1 Friday night. That sounds a lot more comfortable than it was. Inning after inning, the Nats threatened. They could never break through. Somehow.
Get a load of this. In the first inning, the Nats put their first two batters on base. In the second, they put their first two batters on base. In the third, they put two runners on base with one out. In the fourth, they put two runners on base with one out. In the seventh, they put runners on first it no one out. In the ninth, they put runners on second and third with two out.
In all, the Nationals amassed 12 hits and four walks. But they left 13 men on base. They were 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
The Rays relied on the long ball to make the difference. Brandon Lowe hit his 27th homer of the season. Everson Pereira hit his first. In the ninth, Chandler Simpson singled in Nick Fortes for the team's fourth run.
The Rays' bullpen went five innings and didn't allow a run. Brian Van Belle got the win. Pete Fairbanks got his 23rd save. But the best effort of the night might have been by Garrett Cleavinger, who allowed runners on first and second with no one out in the seventh. Cleavinger then struck out the side to keep the lead.
The Rays are now 65-69 on the season.
The Rays and Senators play again today in D.C. at 4:05 p.m. Ryan Pepiot will start for the Rays against Jake Irvin.