Rangers Cruise Past Nationals In Series Opener

Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers celebrates his two-run home run against the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning at Globe Life Field on April 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

Photo: Tim Heitman / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images

The Texas Rangers cruised to a 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field. Josh Smith went 2-for-3 with a home run and a pair of runs scored. Leody Taveras belted his first home run of the year on a two-run shot in the eighth inning. Rangers starter Jon Gray improved to 1-and-1 after eight innings of one-run ball. The Rangers have won three of four to improve to 16-and-14. Luis Garcia Jr. brought home Washington's lone run on an RBI single in the top of the first. Starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore was tagged with the loss and fell to 2-and-3. The Nats are now 14-and-15.