Jonny DeLuca hits 2-run home run in 7th to lift Rays to 4-3 win over Nationals

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a comeback 4-3 victory against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Ryan Vilade also hit a home run for Tampa Bay, which won its eighth home series in the past nine at Tropicana Field. The Rays improved to 26-10 at home.

Nick Martinez allowed three runs in six innings while Garrett Cleavinger (2-2) picked up the win in relief. Kevin Kelly worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his third save of the season and extend his scoreless streak at home to start the season to 18 innings.

Washington had won five consecutive road series, one short of tying a franchise record set in 1994 as the Montreal Expos.

C.J. Abrams homered for the third consecutive game for the Nationals. Andrew Alvarez allowed one run on four hits through four innings.

DeLuca, who also homered on Friday in his first game back from injury, drilled a towering ball into the left field stands off Orlando Ribalta (0-1) with one out to bring home Yandy Diaz to put the Rays in front.

Washington went ahead 2-1 following a Dylan Crews RBI-double in the fourth while Abrams’ 17th home run in the sixth put the Nationals up by two.

Vilade pulled Tampa Bay to within a run with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth off Gus Varland.

Washington: Hosts Philadelphia on Monday with LHP Foster Griffin (7-2, 3.32 ERA). Philadelphia had yet to announce a starter.

Tampa Bay: Hosts Kansas City on Monday with RHP Drew Rasmussen (6-3, 2.59 ERA) set to face RHP Michael Wacha (4-5, 3.64 ERA).

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

Washington Nationals pitcher Orlando Ribalta (64) looks away as Tampa Bay Rays' Jonny DeLuca, back left, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 21, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Washington Nationals pitcher Gus Varland throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, June 21, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Kevin Kelly throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, June 21, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Jonny DeLuca celebrates after his two-run home run as he rounds the bases during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, June 21, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Miles Russell had quite a Father's Day gift for his dad: the chance to be caddie in his son's U.S. Open debut.

The 17-year-old amateur surprised his father, Joe, on the 18th hole Sunday when his caddie brought Russell's clubs to him outside the ropes to carry them the rest of the way.

“It was kind of a fun Father’s Day gift,” Miles Russell said. “Kind of cool since it was my first one. Hopefully it’s something he’ll remember for a long time.”

Russell had Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods' son and his future teammate at Florida State, carrying the bag for him when he advanced to the U.S. Open through a 36-hole qualifying tournament earlier this month.

Ramon Bescansa was on the bag for Russell at Shinnecock Hills — but only for 71 1/2 holes.

As Russell walked toward the 18th green, Bescansa turned toward the ropes and found Joe Russell. He placed the bag down just inside the ropes and removed his caddie bib and handed it to Joe, who put it on.

According to the NBC broadcast, Miles Russell asked a USGA rules official in the morning if he would be allowed to make the switch and was given permission. Joe Russell was not aware of the plan.

Miles Russell smiled widely as his father caught up to him and they walked up to the green.

Russell tapped in for par to finish off an even-par 70 in the final round. After becoming the second-youngest male amateur since World War II to play the weekend at the U.S. Open, he finished at 7 over for the tournament while being paired the final two rounds with fellow amateur Jackson Koivun, who led Auburn to two NCAA championships and is about to turn pro.

“It was a pretty special week,” Russell said. “Just to be here was really special, and to make the cut was kind of bonus points. I didn’t quite have my best stuff the last two days, but still really cool. Just a great experience.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Miles Russell hits from the fairway on the third hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Thursday, June 18, 2026.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miles Russell walks off the green on the third hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Friday, June 19, 2026.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Miles Russell hits from the fairway on the first hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Thursday, June 18, 2026.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)