SB Nation DC - Rays Vs. Nationals: Washington Clinches Series Against Tampa With 5-2 Win

Rays Vs. Nationals Recap: Washington Takes Series With 5-2 Win Over Tampa

2012-06-22T02:39:11Z

After all the drama of their Game 1 loss, the Nationals bounced back to take two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays. Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez did their job to stop the mini losing streak against the AL East. Gonzalez went six innings and allowed just two earned runs to improve to 9-3 on the year. The bullpen continued their impressive work with five pitchers combining for three scoreless innings to hold the lead. Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard, the anchors of the pen so far, were once again dominant. Each pitched an inning of perfect baseball and Clippard picked up his 11th save of the year.

The Nats offense got on the board first with a quick two-run rally in the third inning. Michael Morse brought home Danny Espinosa on a sacrifice fly to centerfield and then Ian Desmond knocked in the speedy Bryce Harper from second with a single back up the middle. Espinosa had a big night for Davey Johnson's club, coming through with a game-winning two-RBI double in the bottom of the sixth. The double was ripped to right and scored Jesus Flores and Adam LaRoche to make it 4-2. That's all the bullpen would need but Roger Bernadina added an insurance run when he doubled home Ryan Zimmerman to close out the scoring at 5-2 in the seventh.

Washington will try to make it three in a row at Camden Yards on Friday night with Jordan Zimmermann on the mound. The Nats lost two of three against the O's in their first series of the year.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Rays Vs. Nationals: Joel Peralta Suspended 8 Games For Pine Tar In His Glove

2012-06-21T20:25:30Z

Oh, this is just hilarious. It's so good it just has to be fattening. Here's the official word from Major League Baseball's Twitter account Thursday afternoon.

BREAKING: Rays reliever Joel Peralta suspended 8 games for possessing a foreign substance on his glove on Tuesday. He has appealed.
— MLB (@MLB) June 21, 2012

OK, so news of the appeal sort of takes the shine off the news a little bit. But still, it must be somewhat rewarding for Davey Johnson, who had his manhood questioned by Joe Maddon after the initial incident Tuesday night.

Joe, you're probably not reading this, but on the off chance you are, we have a few suggestions for you. First, read the rule book. Second, listen to your elders. And third, and most important of all, police your own.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Rays Vs. Nationals: Adam LaRoche Sits For Finale Of Rays Series

2012-06-21T19:04:31Z

The Washington Nationals lineup for the rubber game of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays has been revealed, and once again Davey Johnson has done some tinkering.

First baseman Adam LaRoche, who has gone hitless in the series (0-for-7 with three strikeouts) will be replaced at first by Tyler Moore, who will also bat sixth in Johnson's lineup.

Elsewhere, Danny Espinosa is back in the leadoff spot against Tampa's lefthanded starter Matt Moore, while Steve Lombardozzi is back on the bench due to his struggles against left-handed pitching.

Via the @NationalsPR Twitter account.

#Nationals lineup 6/21 vs. #Rays - Espinosa 4, Harper 8, Zimmerman 5, Morse 9, Desmond 6, Moore 3, Nady 7, Flores 2, G. Gonzalez 1

Thursday's game can be seen on MASN and heard on Federal News Radio 1500. First pitch is at 7:05.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Nationals Vs. Rays Preview: Gio Gonzalez Goes To The Mound As Washington Goes For Series Victory Against Tampa Bay

2012-06-21T17:07:49Z

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg helped the Nationals snap a four game losing streak on Wednesday. On Thursday, pitcher Gio Gonzalez attempts to give the Nationals a winning streak again as he starts against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Although Gonzalez lost in his start against the New York Yankees on June 15, he pitched a solid six innings, allowing three runs on five hits and walked two batters, but still struck out eight. He hopes to get back on track after going 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in his last three starts.

The Rays will send pitcher Matt Moore to the hill on Thursday, he currentily has a record of 4-5 with a 4.16 ERA. In his last start on June 15, Moore dominated the Miami Marlins, going seven shut out innings with eight strike outs and three walks allowed.

The game is scheduled for a 7:05 first pitch with television coverage on MASN. Radio coverage of the game will be provided by 106.7 The Fan FM, 1500 WFED AM and 1580 WHFS AM.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Rays Vs. Nationals Final Score: Stephen Strasburg Fans 10 In 3-2 Win

2012-06-21T01:42:47Z

The Washington Nationals were taking on the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of a three-game series, trying to rebound from the opening series loss. The Nats were able to jump start their offense in the first inning, knocking around Chris Archer in his major league debut in the first inning, picking up three runs.

The Rays answered in the second inning however as Jose Molina took Stephen Strasburg deep to cut into the Nats lead while Hideki Matsui knocked in a run in the very next inning to pull within a run of Washingon. Strasburg settled in after giving up two runs and locked down the Rays offense, striking out 10 batters in seven innings of work. The Nationals bullpen were able to hold off the Rays as the Nats held on to win 3-2 and even the series.

or more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Ross Detwiler Back In Nationals Rotation, Chien-Ming Wang To Bullpen

2012-06-20T20:48:12Z

The day after Chien-Ming Wang failed to get out of the fourth inning in a 5-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Nationals manager Davey Johnson announced that the Taiwanese sinkerballer would be taken out of the rotation and replaced by Ross Detwiler.

#Nats rotation change: Detwiler will start Sunday vs #Orioles. Wang returns to bullpen.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) June 20, 2012

Wang has made four starts this season for Washington, giving up 13 runs in 17.2 innings for an ERA of 6.62 and a won-loss record of 1-3. Opposing batters recorded a .478 on-base percentage and a 1.047 OPS against Wang.

Detwiler has already started nine games this season, recording a record of 3-3 and an ERA of 3.88 over 48.2 innings. Opponents recorded a .310 on-base percentage and a .699 OPS against Detwiler in those nine starts.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Rays Vs. Nationals: Steve Lombardozzi Bats Leadoff, Adam LaRoche Back In Cleanup Spot

2012-06-20T19:24:12Z

The Washington Nationals will try to stop their four-game losing streak Wednesday evening against the Tampa Devil Rays, and manager Davey Johnson has made some changes to the lineup that will try to support Stephen Strasburg.

Steve Lombardozzi is back in the leadoff spot after sitting out Tuesday's game against left-handed Tampa Bay starter David Price. Elsewhere in the lineup, Adam LaRoche is back in the cleanup spot, bumping Michael Morse down to No. 5 in the order, and Danny Espinosa is dropped to the seventh spot in the order after taking Lombardozzi's leadoff spot. The full lineup is below.

#Nats vs #Rays RHP Archer: Lombardozzi 7, Harper 8, Zimmerman 5, LaRoche 3, Morse 9, Desmond 6, Espinosa 4, Flores 2, Strasburg 1.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) June 20, 2012

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.

Rays Vs. Nationals: Washington Turns To Stephen Strasburg To Revive Team's Winning Ways

2012-06-20T14:31:42Z

The Washington Nationals turn to pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg (8-1, 2.45 ERA) on Wednesday night in the hopes that he can help revive the team's ability to win games. The last time the Nationals won was also the last time Strasburg was on the mound.

The Tampa Bay Rays won the series opener by chasing Chien Ming-Wang early. They may find the going tougher against the young right-hander who has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last three starts. The Nationals will be working against Chris Archer, making his first major league appearance.

Despite losing their last four games, Washington still leads the Mets by three games in the National League East.

Game Date: Wednesday, June 20

First Pitch Time: 7:05 p.m. ET

Location: Nationals Park, Washington, DC

TV Coverage: MASN2, Sun Sports

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball. For more on the Rays throughout this interleague series, visit DRaysBay.