WASHINGTON — Brandon Lowe is aiming for a significant milestone in his second season with the Tampa Bay Rays: a 30-home run campaign. Despite the Rays’ slim playoff chances, Lowe's individual pursuit remains a focal point, highlighted by his 27th home run of the season on Friday, which propelled the Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Nationals (65-69). Lowe’s back-to-back home runs represent the fifth time this season he’s achieved this feat, demonstrating a consistent power surge. With 28 games remaining in the regular season, Lowe possesses a realistic opportunity to reach the 30-home run mark for the second time during his eight seasons with the Rays. His impressive performance in 2021 saw him hit a career-high 39 home runs, showcasing his potential for explosive offensive output. Lowe’s two-run home run in the first inning occurred after Yandy Diaz singled with two outs against Washington starter Mitchell Parker, setting the stage for an early lead that the Rays successfully defended.

Lowe's back-to-back home runs represent the fifth time this season he’s achieved this feat, demonstrating a consistent power surge. With 28 games remaining in the regular season, Lowe possesses a realistic opportunity to reach the 30-home run mark for the second time during his eight seasons with the Rays. His impressive performance in 2021 saw him hit a career-high 39 home runs, showcasing his potential for explosive offensive output. Lowe’s two-run home run in the first inning occurred after Yandy Diaz singled with two outs against Washington starter Mitchell Parker, setting the stage for an early lead that the Rays successfully defended. The Nationals responded in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a shaky start from Adrian Houser. Houser walked leadoff man James Wood and subsequently gave up a single to CJ Abrams, followed by an infield out and a sacrifice fly by Luis Garcia Jr., ultimately tying the score at 2-2. The Rays’ defense played a crucial role, particularly the diving catch by rookie leftfielder Chandler Simpson with two on and two outs in the third inning, effectively neutralizing the Nationals’ offensive threat. Adrian Houser, acquired in a July 31 trade, pitched four innings, allowing six hits and three walks but only one run, throwing 86 pitches to secure 12 outs.

Adding to the Rays’ advantage was Everson Pereira, another July 31 trade acquisition from the Yankees, who hit his first major league home run. Pereira, 24, previously played 27 games with New York in 2023, and Friday marked his 12th game with the Rays. The Nationals threatened in the seventh inning when Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger put the first two runners on via a walk and a single to CJ Abrams, but Cleavinger then struck out the next three batters: Josh Bell, pinch-hitter Andres Chaparro, and Riley Adams. Houser again pitched four innings, finishing on a positive note after loading the bases in the fourth by getting Abrams looking at a strike three sinker. The Rays extended their lead to 4-1 on an RBI single by Simpson in the ninth. Closer Pete Fairbanks, who blew a ninth-inning lead Wednesday at Cleveland, secured his 23rd save of the season and 86th with the Rays, breaking a tie with Fernando Rodney for third on the all-time franchise list.