Nats ride homers to another route of D-backs

PHOENIX — The Nationals hoped their breakout offensive performance from the previous night, when they set a season-high in runs and hits, would carry over. They responded by hammering 15 hits, three of which were home runs, in a 10-4 victory over the D-backs on Tuesday at Chase Field.

The game was tied with two outs in the top of the fifth, before Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray allowed a single, a walk and Wilson Ramos’ three-run homer. Chris Heisey — who was starting in right field for Bryce Harper (illness) — followed Ramos with a homer of his own, the 13th time the team has hit back-to-back homers this season. Jayson Werth added a solo homer in the seventh and the Nationals added a three-spot in the eighth to post double-digit runs for the second consecutive game.

Washington right-hander Tanner Roark delivered another solid outing, allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Arizona did manage solo home runs from Yasmany Tomas and Jake Lamb, but that wasn’t enough to back Ray, who was making his first career start against the team that selected him in the first round of the 2010 Draft. He started strong, but ran into trouble late in his outing as the D-backs lost for the 24th time in their last 30 games.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDOffensive barrage: The Nationals had not recorded 15 hits or more in back-to-back games since April 28-29, 2015, against the Braves. And once again they got contributions up and down the lineup. …

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