Nationals at Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays look to ride the momentum after sweeping the team with the best record in the majors when they host the Washington Nationals on Monday for the opener of their two-game interleague series. Rookie Jake Bauers’ walk-off homer in the 12th inning on Sunday gave the Rays a 7-6 triumph over the visiting New York Yankees - their sixth straight victory at Tropicana Field and fifth in seven games overall.
Tampa Bay, which was outscored 15-4 in two losses at Washington earlier this month and is 0-7 in interleague play, registered nine of its 10 hits on Sunday in the first three innings while scoring more than four runs for the first time in 12 games. All-Star Game candidate Blake Snell looks to reach 10 wins for the first time in his career and continue his strong pitching at home when he takes the mound Monday against Gio Gonzalez. The Nationals also look to build off a thrilling victory after rallying from four runs down to top Philadelphia 8-6 on Sunday and avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of their National League East rival. Anthony Rendon (14-for-32) and rookie Juan Soto (9-for-28) both bring eight-game hitting streaks into the series for Washington while Daniel Murphy went 5-for-12 against the Phillies over the weekend.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-4, 3.08 ERA) vs. Rays LH Blake Snell (9-4, 2.48)
Gonzalez, who is winless in his last four starts, allowed two runs and five hits over four innings in a rain-shortened appearance against Baltimore last time out. The 32-year-old Floridian owns a 6.20 ERA in four turns this month after posting a 3-0 record and 1.47 ERA in May, including two scoreless outings. C.J. Cron is 2-for-3 with a homer versus Gonzalez, who is 2-2 with a 5.54 ERA in six career appearances (four starts) against Tampa Bay.
Snell has gone 5-1 in his last seven starts after holding Houston to one run on three hits and seven walks over seven innings - his longest outing since April - in his last turn. The 25-year-old native of Seattle has recorded 11 quality starts in his last 14 trips to the mound and has been dominant at home, going 4-1 with a 0.96 ERA in six outings. Snell will be facing Washington for the first time in his career but is 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA in eight career interleague starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington RF Bryce Harper went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI on Sunday after going just 3-for-28 in his previous eight contests.
2. Tampa Bay SS Adeiny Hechavarria belted a solo homer on Sunday and is 12-for-34 during his nine-game hitting streak.
3. The Rays, who are 13-14 all-time against the Washington franchise, will match its worst interleague start (0-8) in 2005 with a loss.