Everson Pereira's first career home run helps Rays beat Nationals 4-1

WASHINGTON (AP) — Everson Pereira hit his first career home run, Brandon Lowe had a two-run shot and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Washington Nationals 4-1 on Friday night.

Yandy Díaz had a two-out single off Mitchell Parker (7-15) in the first inning and Lowe hit a 402-foot homer for a 2-0 lead.

Pereira hit a leadoff shot in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. He also drew a two-out walk from PJ Poulin in the ninth and scored on Chandler Simpson's single.

Brian Van Belle (1-0) got his first win with two scoreless innings in his second big league appearance. Pete Fairbanks struck out Riley Adams with two on in the ninth for his 23rd save.

Luis García Jr.'s sacrifice fly off Adrian Houser in the first drove in the only run for the Nationals, who have lost six in a row. CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews had three hits apiece.

Houser left after four innings, allowing a run on six hits and three walks. He is 1-2 with a 5.32 ERA since coming to the Nationals from the White Sox at the trade deadline.

Parker allowed three runs and six hits with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. He was 0-4 in five previous starts this month with a 12.00 ERA.

Garrett Cleavinger, who hadn’t allowed a run in his last 17 appearances for the Rays, had runners at the corners with no outs in the seventh before striking out the side to keep it 3-1.

The Nationals were 0 for 12 when they had runners in scoring position and 12 for 24 otherwise.

Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (9-10, 3.82) starts Saturday opposite Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (8-9, 5.40).

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Tampa Bay Rays' Everson Pereira, center, and others celebrate after a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe gestures as he celebrates his two-home run while rounding the bases in the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Tampa Bay Rays' Everson Pereira, left, celebrates after his home run near to home plate umpire Derek Thomas, right, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Tampa Bay Rays' Everson Pereira, celebrates his home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

DENVER (AP) — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.

The 28-year-old Castro made his major league debut on Aug. 24, 2019, while with Detroit. He spent four seasons with the Tigers before joining the Twins, where he was an All-Star in 2024. He was traded to the Cubs last July.

Earlier in the day, the Rockies finalized the signing of right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to an $8 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027. Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Chicago Cubs' Willi Castro (1) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)