Rays win 4-1 in a gritty, imperfect night: 174 Rays pitches, 12 strikeouts, and just enough offense to back a shaky start from Adrian Houser. Brandon Lowe opened the scoring with a first-inning homer, Yandy Díaz drew a walk to spark the rally, and Everson Pereira added insurance with a homer in the fifth. The bullpen held the Nationals’ bats, while Chandler Simpson dazzled with two key defensive plays. A late Chandler Simpson RBI and Pete Fairbanks’s closing work capped a win that felt earned, not pristine.

Daylen Lile’s baserunning with Daylen Lile being cut down at third showcased Washington’s aggression, but the Rays mitigated it with quality defense and timely hits. The City Connect jersey debate lingered, yet Tampa Bay’s grit carried the day as the Rays navigate a tight stretch ahead.