Washington Nationals Secure Back-to-Back Wins Over Rays and Phillies

The Washington Nationals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a tiebreaking run scored on a swinging bunt by Andres Chaparro. CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews each homered, and the bullpen combined for 6 1⁄3 shutout innings.

A day later, the Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Washington. Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr. provided the offense with home runs, while starter Foster Griffin worked 7 1⁄3 innings, allowing one run and striking out nine. The win gave the Nationals a series opener victory against a division rival.