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Crews, Abrams homer in the Nationals’ 4-3 win over the Rays

Crews, Abrams homer in the Nationals' 4-3 win over the Rays | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Dylan Crews homered in the ninth inning, C.J. Abrams also hit a solo homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Saturday.

The Nationals look to win a franchise record-tying sixth consecutive road series when the teams finish off the three-game set Sunday.

Mitchell Parker (3-3) worked 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, and Brad Lord threw three shutout innings. Clayton Beeter finished for his fifth save, striking out Ben Williamson with the tying run on second base to end it.

Ian Seymor (3-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits. Tampa Bay lost at home for the 10th time in 35 games.

Washington starter Cade Cavalli, scratched from the lineup the previous day due to illness, labored through 2 2/3 innings. But despite loading the bases in each of the first two innings and allowing six hits, Cavalli limited the damage to two runs.

After Junior Caminero put the Rays up 1-0 on a sacrifice fly in the first, Washington answered with Abrams’ 16th home run of the season and a double by Nasim Nunez in the top of the second. Chandler Simpson singled in Caminero in the bottom off the third to make it 2-2.

Andres Chaparro put Washington in front for good with a squib grounder in front of home plate that brought home Keibert Ruiz in the fifth inning.

Up next

Washington LHP Andrew Alvarez (1-0, 3.49 ERA) was scheduled to face RHP Nick Martinez (6-2, 2.60 ERA) on Sunday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Crews, Abrams homer in the Nationals' 4-3 win over the Rays | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) tags Tampa Bay Rays’ Richie Palacios out at home on a fielder’s choice during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Crews, Abrams homer in the Nationals' 4-3 win over the Rays | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz, left, and pitcher Clayton Beeter, right, celebrate after their win over the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game Saturday, June 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Crews, Abrams homer in the Nationals' 4-3 win over the Rays | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Rays’ Taylor Walls (6) steals second base before the take from Washington Nationals second baseman Nasim Nuñez during the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Crews, Abrams homer in the Nationals' 4-3 win over the Rays | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Rays’ Cedric Mullins, right, reacts after striking out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

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The Associated Press

Erik Erlendsson

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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