Most Valuable Player
It’s unlikely that the Nats entered this series worried about Gabe Kapler killing them. So he did, of course. Kapler hit the key HR Friday in Rays’ win. He hit a two-run HR in sixth Sunday to tie the game at 4. Also had an RBI single.
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All-Star Performance
Rays’ bullpen, including Randy Choate, pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings. With a man on first in the seventh, he induced a ground out by Nick Johnson, walked Ryan Zimmerman on purpose and then fanned Adam Dunn to foil Nats’ last best chance.
Overlooked
Alberto Gonzalez provided the offense early for Washington. Batted 2-for-4 with three RBI. Gonzalez had an RBI single in the second inning and a two-run double in the fourth. Also scored a run while subbing for starter Cristian Guzman at SS.
Oops!
Poor Willie Harris. With a man on second and the game tied in the eighth he was ready to field a Willy Aybar grounder while playing behind the bag at 3B. Instead, the ball smacked off the base and ricocheted into left as the go-ahead run scored.
From the dugout
The subject of firing rumors all weekend, Manny Acta watched his club continue to struggle at the start of six-game road trip. The Nats have lost 27 of their last 33 and are 16-45.
While Yankees and Red Sox soak up all the attention, Joe Maddon’s Rays are lurking in the American League East. Sweep of Nats gives Tampa Bay five wins in a row.
