Rays Off to Historic Start, Take Down Nationals 6-2

For the first time in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Rays have begun their season 4-0. They are one of the only two undefeated teams remaining.

Rays Victory

Behind the pitching of right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the bat of Luke Raley, the Rays defeated the Washington Nationals 6-2 in the first game of their three game series.

Rasmussen, who finished 2022 season with a 2.84 ERA across 146 innings pitched, started Monday’s game and pitched for six scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing only two hits.

Raley’s bat was hot, finishing the night with three RBIs and two home runs.

In the first inning, with one runner on, he sent Trevor William’s pitch 429 feet into center field.

Then, in the eighth inning, he hit a solo homer off of Mason Thompson.

Are they yelling NUUUUKE in WSH? Let's just say they are pic.twitter.com/8JiZeYH9x0

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 4, 2023

Isaac Paredes also sent a shot off of William’s in the fourth.

Not gonna lie, bold move trying to catch this 404' blast one-handed pic.twitter.com/LBPhjfEzVM

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 4, 2023

Looking Ahead

The Rays will face the Nationals twice more, looking to add to their historic season start.

Tonight, left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming will start on the mound for the Rays. Fleming will set out to prove himself after a rocky 2022. He held a record of 2-5, with an ERA of 6.43 across 35 innings pitched.

Lefty Chad Kuhl will make his season debut tonight starting on the mound for the Nationals.

First pitch is set for 7:05.

On Thursday, the pair will face off once more. Thursday’s game will begin at 1:05.