Rays waste several opportunities in different ways in loss to Nationals

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Jun 20, 2026

Published in Baseball

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Homefield advantage can only carry the Rays so far.

Saturday they failed to convert a series of early scoring opportunities, and a baserunning mistake by Junior Caminero cost them another chance later.

The result was a 4-3 loss to the Nationals at Tropicana Field, and another step back after the one the Rays seemed to take forward with Friday’s win.

The Rays dropped to 42-31 as they lost for the 16th time in their last 24 games, including six of their last eight.

The Rays were not opportunistic early, loading the bases in each of the first two innings and scoring only one run.

The first inning looked promising as Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda singled, and Cedric Mullins hustled his bunt attempt into a hit to load the bases.

Caminero produced a sac fly, but Richie Palacios grounded into a double play, made possible with a standout play by second baseman Nasim Nunez on the turn.

The Rays loaded the bases again in the second with two outs, but Aranda grounded out.

The Nationals, meanwhile, grabbed the lead in the second off Rays starter Ian Seymour.

CJ Abrams led off with a homer to right-center, then three of the next four batters reached base, with the Rays fortunate only one run scored.

Dylan Crews singled, Daylen Lile was hit by a pitch, and with one out Nunez doubled to make it 2-1. Seymour escaped further damage.

The Rays got even in their third.

Caminero singled with one out, went to second on Palacios’ walk and scored on a single by Chandler Simpson, who had been in an extended slump.

There was a chance for more as Simpson swiped second, his first stolen base since May 11. But Victor Mesa Jr.’s grounder toward first led to an out at the plate, and pinch-hitter Nick Fortes flied out.

The Nationals took the lead back in the fifth.

A Kelbert Ruiz leadoff single and a James Wood double put runners on third and second.

After former Ray Curtis Mead missed a chance to make a memorable return by striking out, Andres Chaparro rolled a slow grounder a few feet toward first. Fortes grabbed it and threw to first for the out as Ruiz scored. Palacios made a good grab on a pop up to get Rays out of the inning.

The Rays had a chance for a rally in the seventh but Caminero’s baserunning mistake led to the third out. Aranda was on first with two outs when Caminero grounded a ball up the middle and beat Nunez’s throw which sailed well over first.

Caminero turned and started to running to second as the ball caromed off the rail in front of the Rays dugout, but slowed down as got close. That allowed Chaparro to retrieve the ball and throw to Abrams, who tagged Caminero out.

The Rays got one quickly in the ninth as Taylor Walls led off with a walk and stole second and third, then scored on Diaz’s infield single. But that was it as Aranda flied out, Mullins struck out and after the Nationals intentionally walked Caminero (putting the winning run on base), Ben Williamson struck out.

For the day, the Rays were 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on.