Siri Strikes Twice: Rays 3, Nationals 1

Rays return to .500 as Yandy Diaz thanks to two solo home runs from Jose Siri and six scoreless innings of pitching from Zach Eflin

On a night of excitement and milestones, the Tampa Bay Rays emerged victorious over the Washington Nationals with a 3-1 win.

Things could quickly have started rocky for the Rays when C.J. Abrams was hit by a Zach Eflin pitch, providing an immediate baserunner. However, Eflin and the Rays’ defense ensured the speedy shortstop did not advance beyond first base by retiring the next three batters.

In the bottom of the first, the Rays faced Nationals’ starter Mitchell Parker with a similar result. Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena were out with a flyout and strikeout, respectively. Just when it seemed the inning might be uneventful, Amed Rosario singled to right field. However, the production was short-lived as Isaac Paredes flew out to left field, leaving Rosario stranded. Jesse Winker somehow caught the Paredes’ fly ball while falling to the turf and getting hurt.

Between innings, former Ray and current Nationals’ player Harold Ramirez received an in-game tribute in his first game back to the Trop since being DFA’d by the Rays.

The second inning saw the Nationals struggle to find their rhythm on Friday night, but the Rays found theirs when Jose Siri stepped up to the plate. With a crack of the bat, Siri sent the ball soaring 405 feet into the left-field stands (30-degree launch angle and 108.6mph exit velocity). This solo home run, Siri’s tenth of the season, put the Rays on the board with a 1-0 lead. The crowd erupted as Siri rounded the bases, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Yandy Diaz made franchise history with a sharp line drive to center field to lead off the bottom of the third inning. Diaz set a new club record for the longest hit streak, with 20 consecutive games. This achievement broke Jason Bartlett’s record from 2009.

Diaz’s record-setting hit was followed by Randy Arozarena reaching base on a fielder’s choice. A wild pitch by Mitchell Parker allowed Arozarena to advance to second base, putting him in scoring position. Isaac Paredes then delivered a crucial RBI single, scoring Arozarena and extending the Rays’ lead to 2-0. The single turned into second base after the ball ricocheted off Jacob Young’s glove for an error, allowing Paredes to advance to second base. Jose Siri walked next, and Jonny DeLuca singled, loading the bases. However, the inning ended with José Caballero striking out swinging.

The fourth inning brought a moment of simultaneous contention and excitement. Luis Garcia Jr. initially appeared to be caught stealing second base, but a challenge and subsequent review overturned the call, showing Garcia Jr. had managed to get his left hand in just before the tag. This steal, his eleventh of the season, was a small victory for the Nationals. However, the team from the capital city couldn’t capitalize on it as back-to-back strikeouts from Keibert Ruiz and Eddie Rosario ended the inning.

At the bottom of the sixth inning, Jose Siri was back on the plate to lead. Once again, Siri showcased his power, hitting his second home run of the night. This time, the ball rocketed off his bat with an exit velocity of 107.1 mph, traveling 428 feet into center field. Siri’s second solo homer extended the Rays’ lead to 3-0, cemented his status as the game’s standout player.

Despite the Nationals’ struggles, Mitchell Parker delivered a solid start, keeping his team within striking distance. However, the Rays’ Zach Eflin dominated on the mound, throwing six scoreless innings and silencing the Nationals’ bats.

In the top of the seventh, the Nationals finally broke through. Jacob Young doubled to right field and stole third base, then scored on a throwing error by catcher Alex Jackson, making it 3-1. This brief surge of hope for the Nationals quickly expired as C.J. Abrams was picked off and caught stealing second base, ending the inning.

As the game moved into the ninth inning, Pete Fairbanks took the mound for the Rays, looking to close out the game. With one out already recorded, Keibert Ruiz walked, bringing Eddie Rosario to the plate. Rosario lined out to right fielder Jonny DeLuca, who made a spectacular diving catch for the second out, as he continues to make spectacular plays in right field this week. Fairbanks earned the save as the game ended with Nick Senzel grounding out to Diaz, securing the win for the Rays.

With the win, the Rays are back at .500, and tomorrow, they will look to get above .500 for the first time since May 21. Tomorrow also gives the Rays the chance to win their fourth straight series when these teams take the field at 4:10 p.m. Aaron Civale is scheduled to take the mound for the Rays, opposite Jake Irvin for the Nationals.