Top prospect Dylan Crews delivered a game-winning homer in the ninth, while C.J. Abrams added a solo shot as Washington edged Tampa Bay to open the series. The win gives Washington a rare late-game highlight in a rebuilding season.
J. Abrams. Crews' go-ahead ninth-inning homer capped a back-and-forth contest, giving the Nationals the series-opening win at home.
The Rays struck first with a run in the first, but the Nationals answered with two in the second on a single by Abrams and a sacrifice fly. Tampa Bay tied it in the third, then took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by Randy Arozarena. Washington reclaimed the lead in the sixth on a solo shot by Abrams, his second hit of the night.
The game remained tight until the ninth, when Crews—batting in his first MLB start—drove a 2-2 pitch over the left-field wall for a walk-off homer. The blast marked Crews' first career MLB home run and his first career walk-off hit. The win was the Nationals' first walk-off victory of the season, a stat that underscores how rare such moments have been in 2024.
Manager Dave Martinez called it a "special moment" for the 22-year-old prospect, noting Crews' poise under pressure. "He’s been doing this since he was a kid. Tonight, he showed why he’s one of the best in the game," Martinez said.
Crews' performance also snapped a 3-10 skid for the Nationals in one-run games, a streak that had frustrated fans and front office alike. The win gives the Nationals momentum as they look to build on a rebuilding season, while the Rays fall to 45-45 on the year. The Rays entered the series with the third-best bullpen ERA in baseball, but Washington’s late surge exposed vulnerabilities in Tampa Bay’s relief corps, particularly in high-leverage spots.
8 runs per game, making Crews’ clutch hit even more impactful. The Nationals’ bullpen has been a season-long question mark, ranking 24th in ERA among MLB relievers. Saturday’s game, however, saw Washington’s relievers hold the Rays scoreless over the final three innings, a critical shift in a season where late-game collapses have been all too common.
The victory also marks the first time this season that the Nationals have won consecutive games, a modest but meaningful milestone for a team that has spent much of the year mired in inconsistency. Crews’ arrival couldn’t come at a better time, as the Nationals look to avoid another losing season and build toward 2025 with optimism. Crews’ performance has also sparked renewed optimism among Nationals fans, who have been waiting for a breakout moment from the team’s top prospects.
The 22-year-old’s poise and clutch hitting have drawn comparisons to other young stars in the game, including the Rays’ own Wander Franco. As the Nationals look to build on this momentum, Crews will be a key figure in their efforts to turn the season around. The Nationals’ win over the Rays also highlights the challenges facing teams in the NL East, where the division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in baseball.
The Marlins, who the Nationals will face next, are coming off a series win over the Braves and present a stiff test for Washington. However, the Nationals will carry this confidence into the matchup, buoyed by the knowledge that they have the talent to compete with any team in the league. The victory also marks the first time this season that the Nationals have won consecutive games, a modest but meaningful milestone for a team that has spent much of the year mired in inconsistency.
Crews’ arrival couldn’t come at a better time, as the Nationals look to avoid another losing season and build toward 2025 with optimism. Read at ESPN
A walk-off homer from a top prospect like Dylan Crews is a rare bright spot for a rebuilding Nationals team. The victory not only delivers a crucial series-opening win but also signals the arrival of Crews as a potential franchise cornerstone. For fans, it’s a memorable moment in a season that has lacked many to celebrate. The win also suggests the Nationals’ bullpen may be stabilizing, a critical development as they navigate a tight NL East race.
ESPNespn.comJun 20, 11:32 PMen
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