WASHINGTON — When the Nationals surprisingly designated Nathaniel Lowe for project in mid-August, youthful brother and Rays outfielder Josh Lowe referred to as the scenario “attention-grabbing,” saying, “I’ll simply go away it at that.”
Josh Lowe on Saturday appeared to indicate the Nationals what he actually thought, delivering his first two-home run recreation in additional than a yr because the Rays received 4-1 to enhance to 66-69.
Lowe mentioned afterward he didn’t have revenge on his thoughts, that the one tie to his brother was now having “Uncle Pop,” as Nathaniel and his spouse, Brenna, turned first-time mother and father with Thursday’s beginning of son Barrett Ray.
“I don’t actually consider it that means,” Josh Lowe mentioned. “I simply consider it as one other recreation, and both my brother’s there or not. That is the group he performed for. No revenge or what-not. Simply going out and having enjoyable.”
However starter Ryan Pepiot mentioned there was discuss among the many Rays of it being a revenge recreation as Lowe hit a three-run homer within the first after which a solo blast within the fourth.
“Truthfully, some guys had been saying that within the dugout,” Pepiot mentioned. “Everybody was like, ‘For Nathaniel.’ Two homers, and two massive ones, too. …
“They let go of his brother, after which he is available in right here and single-handedly wins the sport for us.”
Lowe didn’t fairly do all of it himself.
Pepiot, pitching for the second time underneath workload limits, posted 5 scoreless innings to match Drew Rasmussen with a team-leading 10 wins
And Junior Caminero made an amazing barehanded play on a gradual curler towards third to quell a bases-loaded rally and get the Rays out of the eighth.
However Lowe, who hadn’t hit a homer since July 30 and hadn’t hit one other since July 2, deserved the headlines in what has been a irritating and disappointing season with a .236 common, 9 homers, 33 RBIs and a .688 OPS. He hadn’t hit two homers in a recreation since Aug. 3, 2024.
“It’s large, simply with the ability to produce for the blokes when some days I really feel like I haven’t been ready to try this,” Lowe mentioned. “To go on the market [Saturday] and to offer offense and assist the group win, it’s massive.
“It’s a stepping stone for me to construct on and to exit do some extra good issues [Sunday].”
The Rays want to see Saturday be the beginning of a great end for Lowe, who strained an indirect on opening day and missed 41 video games, then lately sat out three over concern of a probably related difficulty.
“I feel he must have a great month,” Rays supervisor Kevin Money mentioned. “I do know he’s going to press on himself to try this. And I feel it’s going to be there for him to take advantage of the alternatives this final month. We’ll see what occurs.
“However I do know that Josh, I feel he could be the primary to say that the accidents haven’t helped him, the timing has not been there. There’s simply been too many inconsistencies. However he’s acquired [27] ballgames to essentially reset his season.”
Although Pepiot posted the 5 zeroes, permitting just one hit and hanging out six, he was pissed off that he walked three and wanted 93 pitches to get 15 outs.
He mentioned he felt “fairly grindy,” which he outlined as his mechanics being ”type of out of whack,” limiting his command and management of his pitches, particularly his fastball.
What Pepiot was in a position to do was maintain the lead, which Money mentioned was essential. With the 4:05 begin time, the shadows on the sector made it robust for the hitters.
“Made the pitches after we needed to,” Pepiot mentioned.
Counting Saturday’s outing, which was his career-high twenty eighth begin, Pepiot has thrown 158 innings (a hefty hike from final yr’s 133⅓). Money mentioned the Rays will proceed to “be conscious” of his workload and “in all probability have to consider ways in which we will actually management it.”
Caminero had a hand in Lowe’s first homer as he labored a nine-pitch stroll off Nationals starter Jake Irvin with two outs to get Lowe to the plate.
“I mentioned, ”Josh, give me thanks,’ ” Caminero quipped in English.
His larger contribution got here within the eighth. The Nationals rapped three hits off Mason Englert to get one run, then — after Griffin Jax got here in to get two strikeouts — loaded the bases when Jax apparently simply missed on a 3-2 sweeper to Josh Bell.
Riley Adams hit a gradual curler towards third. Caminero charged in, made a barehanded pickup and threw on the right track to first, a play that he practices on the conclusion of the Rays’ each day infield work.
“I really feel very glad that I used to be in a position to assist the group win,” Caminero mentioned through group interpreter Eddie Rodriguez. “Anticipation is the important thing to that play.”
Jax mentioned it was a “large” play stopping the Nationals “proper there” and sustaining the three-run lead.
“Fortunately, Riley Adams isn’t the quickest runner,” Jax mentioned. “However hands-down, an ideal play regardless.”
All in all, issues appear to have labored out for the Lowes.
In getting launched by the last-place Nationals, Nathaniel Lowe obtained his full $10.3 million wage. He signed with the playoff-contending Crimson Sox, then had a wholesome child. And Josh took a step Saturday towards placing a great end on his season, with a lift from child Barrett.
“For a day like [Saturday] to occur,” Josh mentioned, “it was enjoyable.”
