ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Luis García hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Wednesday.
With Carter Kieboom on second base to start extra innings, the 20-year-old García hit a leadoff drive on the first pitch from Nick Anderson (1-1).
“I just told him to get ready for the fastball,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “I asked him (afterwards), ‘What was that pitch?’ He’s finally learning. He responded, ‘That’s a homer pitch.’” I said ‘atta boy.’”
Anderson had not allowed a run in his previous 14 appearances this season.
“It’s bound to happen,” Anderson said. “I just missed my spot.”
Brandon Lowe got the Rays even at 2 when he hit a solo homer off Daniel Hudson (2-2) on a 2-2 pitch with two outs in the ninth.
Kyle McGowin struck out three in the 10th to get his first save.
“The fact that we come back, keep playing, like I’ve said all along, we don’t quit,” Martinez said. “That’s awesome. These guys are giving it their all, going out and playing hard.”
Tampa Bay completed a stretch of eight consecutive games against last-place teams at 3-5.
“The last 10 games we certainly haven’t been firing offensively,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve got to get going here.”
Asdrúbal Cabrera homered and Austin Voth allowed one run and four hits over five innings for the Nationals.
Juan Soto drew a one-out walk from reliever Oliver Drake in the sixth and scored on Cabrera’s homer that put Washington ahead 2-1.
Drake was making his first appearance since Aug. 8 after being sidelined by right biceps tendinitis.
Nate Lowe had an RBI double in the first. He has eight RBIs over his last five games.
Voth intentionally walked Nate Lowe with a runner on second and two outs in both the third and fifth innings and ended the threats by retiring Manuel Margot.
Kyle Finnegan walked Nate Lowe on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases with two outs in the seventh but then got a grounder from Margot.
The Rays left 11 on base and struck out 16 times.
“I feel like we couldn’t get a big hit when we had a lot of guys on base,” Tampa Bay shortstop Willy Adames said. “We only got the big hit when Brandon Lowe hit a homer.”
NUMBERS
Soto has reached base safely in 19 straight games. His longest streak is a 21-game run from Aug. 24-Sept. 16, 2018. ... . Adames went 0 for 4, including three strikeouts, and has two hits in his last 32 at-bats.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Rays will open spring training play next year against Minnesota on Feb. 27. The first workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Feb. 18, with the initial full-squad session on Feb. 23.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: RF Adam Eaton was replaced defensively in the fourth inning by Josh Harrison after earlier bruising a finger on a bunt attempt.
Rays: C Mike Zunino (left oblique strain) could return early next week. ... INF Yandy Díaz (right hamstring strain) is playing catch but still very limited in running drills.
UP NEXT
Nationals: Begin a five-game series with Miami on Friday night.
Rays: LHP Blake Snell (4-1) will start Game 1 of a doubleheader at Baltimore on Thursday. The second game starter has not been announced.
___
More AP MLB: apnews.com/MLB and twitter.com/AP_Sports
