Rays extend win streak to 6 games

WASHINGTON — What the Rays have done during their record-setting run to open the season is impressive enough. Wednesday, they stretched their winning streak to six games and extended their stay as the only undefeated — and best — team in the majors with a 7-2 win over the Nationals.

Rightfully, they are feeling pretty good about things so far.

“Oh my gosh, we’ve got some real serious magic on this team,” reliever Ryan Thompson said. “This team that we have is really special, and the relationships that we have are really special.

“We’re a really good team.

But I know we have more fun than everybody else, and that transitions onto the field. We love each other and care about each other. And it’s something special. It really is.”

What has been significant, especially as it portends for the rest of the season, is how they have done it — performing extremely well in just about every facet of the game.

“We should be very pleased with the way that we’ve played — the consistency defensively, on the mound, at the plate,” manager Kevin Cash said.

Entering the season, the offense was the great unknown, especially with the front office deciding not to bring in upgrades.

The Rays knew they had a dominant rotation and strong bullpen and that they could play dazzling defense.

So far, they are running up the score.

Their 44 runs and 13 home runs (noted, off Detroit and Washington pitchers) are the most of any team through six games. More impressively, the Rays are the only team in the modern era to win their first six games by at least four runs and the second overall, after the 1884 St. Louis Maroons rolled off 13 on their way to a 94-19-1 record.

“Our approach at the plate really stood out,” Cash said. “Just feels like we’re making a lot of good decisions. I know that was kind of harped on throughout all spring training. The guys are getting themselves in good counts. And then when they get them, they’re doing some damage.”

It has been a team effort, with two of their best, Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco, leading the way.

Wednesday, after Arozarena made a spectacular running and leaping catch to snub a Nationals rally in the first, he did his armscrossed gesture in front of the bullpen, where the Rays relievers returned it in tribute. He then got the offense started. He bunted his way on, raced home and slid in head-first on a sacrifice fly for the first run before singling in another. Though six games, has a .364 average and six RBIs.