Rays’ Blake Snell through 6 hitless innings vs Nationals

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Blake Snell has thrown six hitless innings for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Washington Nationals.

The 25-year-old left-hander walked Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to open Monday night’s game but has retired 18 straight since. He has struck out 10 and thrown 80 pitches.

Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier made a nice running catch on Turner’s drive in the sixth, and second baseman Willy Adames then dived for Harper’s grounder and threw him out to end the inning.

Snell pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a 2-1 victory over Justin Verlander and the Astros last time out, though he walked a season-high seven.

The Rays lead 8-0, keyed by Kiermaier’s grand slam in a six-run second.

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