The Tampa Bay Rays (42-42) defeated the Washington Nationals (39-44) 5-0 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now won each of their last four series.
The Rays got the scoring started in the third - first Isaac Paredes hit for a solo homer to make it 1-0. Moments later Jose Caballero hit a two-run bomb to make it 3-0. Tampa Bay got some separation when Jose Siri hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Randy Arozarena hit a solo homer in the seventh to make it 5-0.
Taj Bradley (3-4, 3.42) was brilliant in his start, pitching five and two-third shutout innings in which he allowed just three hits while striking out eleven and walking two. A bullpen combination of Colin Poche, Jason Gadam, Garrett Cleavinger and Phil Maton combined to shut out the Nats.
The Rays are now off on Monday before beginning going on the road to play the Royals in a three-game series beginning on Tuesday night. First pitch from Kansas City is scheduled for 8:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 7:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES