Rays Edge Nationals 4-3 on DeLuca’s Seventh-Inning Homer

Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. DeLuca drilled a towering ball into the left field stands off Orlando Ribalta with one out, scoring Yandy Diaz to put the Rays ahead.

The blast came after the Nationals had taken a 3-1 lead. Ryan Vilade also homered for Tampa Bay. The Rays won their eighth home series in the past nine at Tropicana Field and improved to a 26-10 home record.

Nick Martinez allowed three runs in six innings. Garrett Cleavinger earned the win in relief with a 2-2 record. Kevin Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the season and extended his scoreless streak at home to start the season to 18 innings.

J. Abrams homered for the third consecutive game for the Nationals and hit his 17th home run of the season. Andrew Alvarez allowed one run on four hits through four innings. Washington took a 2-1 lead after Dylan Crews hit an RBI double in the fourth inning.

Vilade pulled Tampa Bay within a run with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth off Gus Varland. DeLuca also homered on Friday in his first game back from injury.

Washington had won five consecutive road series, one short of tying a franchise record set in 1994 as the Montreal Expos. 32 ERA). 64 ERA).