Souza opens scoring against buddy Zimmermann (Rays win 5-0)

The Nationals and Rays play game three against each other tonight, but this time in D.C. It is the first time that right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and now Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. have been on the same field playing in the same game since Zimmermann's first career no-hitter September 28, 2014.

Souza arrived in that game in the ninth inning and played left field. His diving catch robbed Christian Yelich of extra bases with two outs in the ninth inning. The incredible catch also earned Zimmermann the first no-hitter in Nationals history.

Zimmermann is taking on Rays right-hander Steve Geltz. He did not allow a hit until, who else, Souza slapped a single to left with two outs in the top of the second.

Gilt got the Nationals three-up and three-down in the first including a strikeout looking to Bryce Harper.

Bottom second, no score.

Update: Geltz left after two innings, allowing no hits, no walks and striking out one on 19 pitches, 11 for strikes. Apparently this was the Rays plan in order to get Brandon Guyer in to pinch hit in the top of the third. The plan backfired as Guyer grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

Right-hander Matt Andriese took over for Geltz in the bottom of the third.

The Nationals have gone without a hit through three frames after 23 base knocks in Tuesday's 16-4 win.

After three innings, no score.

Update II: Souza slammed a solo home run off his good friend Zimmermann in the fifth, his 13th of the season, and the Rays led 1-0. The towering blast went over the Tampa Bay bullpen into the blue seats. It's the first homer allowed by Zimmermann since May 26.

One batter later, catcher Curt Casali launched his first homer of the season. The solo shot, also to left field, made it 2-0 Rays. It was the first major league home run for Casali.

Update III: Difficult top of the fifth for shortstop Ian Desmond. With one out, Desmond was unable to glove Evan Longoria's hot shot up the middle for a single. Following a David DeJesus single, Logan Forsythe reached first after Desmond bobbled and dropped a possible double play ball near second base. Longoria scored and the Rays led 3-0. A 4-6-3 double play on a Souza grounder ended the threat.

Bottom of the fifth, 3-0 Tampa Bay.

Update IV: The rain arrived and might have contributed to more sloppy play for the Nationals in the eighth. With Blake Treinen pitching and DeJesus on first, Souza's bunt was picked up by Treinen who flew it wildly to first base. DeJesus came around to score. Bryce Harper's throw from right field was far wide of the plate up the third base line and Jose Lobaton could not handle it, allowing Souza to score. Two more errors and the Rays led 5-0.

The game was delayed by rain heading to the bottom of the eighth.

Zimmermann finished seven innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, all earned, one walk and struck out eight. He fired 105 pitches, 71 for strikes.

Middle of the eighth, Tampa Bay leads 5-0. The Nationals have committed three errors.

Update V: The game resumed after a 27 minute delay. But the Nationals were unable to score any runs in the final six outs of play.

They managed only two hits on the night, a day after setting a club record for hits (23) dating back to 2005. This loss resembled Monday's 6-1 setback at Tampa Bay, where it appeared the Rays played with more fire and energy, instead of Tuesday's 16-4 crushing.

The Nationals have now lost seven of their last 11 games to fall to 34-32.