ns. Holtby recorded 38 saves in a game in which the Capitals we

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Reds went two weeks before breaking out of their hitting slump. Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. The Reds best offensive showing of the season featured Mesoracos three-run homer, Joey Vottos two-run shot and Heiseys pinch-hit slam in the eighth. Jay Bruce doubled, walked four times and scored four runs. The Reds had a brief meeting following a 1-0 loss on Saturday that epitomized their season-long struggle at the plate. "The key early in the season is to not lose faith," manager Bryan Price said. "We understand that were a good team, and everyone in there knows it." For the first time all season, they played like it. The Reds salvaged the final game of their interleague series but remained in last place in the NL Central at 4-8. The hitters have been the biggest problem, tied for last in the majors heading into the game. Zack Cozart got it going with a bases-loaded double off Cesar Ramos (0-1), making his first start of the season because of injuries. The Reds finished with a season high in runs -- they hadnt scored more than six in any previous game -- and hits with 13. "Its so early that you really cant say were not going to hit with runners in scoring position," Mesoraco said. "Weve just got to bear down and try not to do too much." Left-hander Tony Cingrani (1-1) gave up five hits in 6 1-3 innings. Ben Zobrist homered from both sides of the plate, hitting two-run shots off Cingrani and right-hander Nick Christiani. "It was great to see them come through and break out and get five runs (early)," Cingrani said. "It was just a matter of time. Weve got a great hitting lineup. Today was the day they broke out of it." The Rays are 3-3 on a trip that has been tough on their rotation. Matt Moore went on the disabled list with a sore elbow on Tuesday, and Alex Cobb joined him Sunday with a strained oblique. Also, reliever Joel Peralta was sick, leaving him unavailable. The injuries affected the final game of the series. Ramos, who had made four relief appearances this season, started in Moores place and helped the Reds offence get unstuck. "One of those days, man," manager Joe Maddon said. "You just file it and move on. This is less than the 30-minute rule. This is the 30-second rule. Just drop it and move on." Cincinnati came into the game tied with San Diego for fewest runs in the majors with 28. Ramos helped the Reds by walking the bases loaded in the second, and Cozart hit a ground-rule double for his third hit of the season and a 2-0 lead. Vottos second homer of the series sparked a 10-batter, five-run third inning. Ramos left after throwing 47 pitches. Brandon Gomes relieved and gave up Mesoracos homer. Mesoraco added a sacrifice fly in the fifth. The catcher opened the season on the disabled list with a strained oblique. In four games the past week, he went 7 for 14 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs. Heisey connected in the eighth off Josh Lueke for his seventh career pinch-hit homer. NOTES: The Rays open a three-game series in Baltimore on Monday, starting Chris Archer (1-0) against Wei-Yin Chen (1-1). ... The Reds continue their six-game homestand by hosting Pittsburgh. Homer Bailey (0-1), who has won his last five starts against the Pirates, goes against Wandy Rodriguez (0-2). ... Rays called up LH reliever Jeff Beliveau from Triple-A Durham to fill Cobbs roster spot and sent him back after the game. LH Erik Bedard, who also was added to the roster on Sunday, will take Cobbs spot in the rotation for now. ... It was Zobrists fourth career multihomer game. ... Maddon batted Ramos eighth, figuring that hed have to pinch-hit for him early anyway. ... Reds starter Mat Latos was diagnosed with a sprained right forearm. He wont throw for 10 to 14 days. ... Third base umpire Tim Welke was honoured before he worked his 4,000th regular-season game. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . Players suspended during the season for a performance-enhancing drug violation will not be eligible for that years post-season. In addition, discipline will increase from 50 games to 80 for a first testing violation and from 100 games to a season-long 162 for a second. A third violation remains a lifetime ban. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. https://www.mlbjerseys2020.com/ . -- D. J. Williams finally has his packing strategy down. Stitched Nike MLB Jerseys . With the team he supported as a child on the verge of reaching the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 19 years, Ba instead scored the goal that knocked them out. Cheap MLB Jerseys From China . Reyes, 26, was traded from Atlanta to Toronto in July 2010 and spent the remainder of the season in the minors. He began 2011 in the majors and made 20 starts with the Blue Jays, going 5-8 with a 5.40 earned run average before he was waived on Aug.(SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Rangers will try to extend their longest winning streak of the season to seven games when they host the surging Washington Capitals in Tuesdays tilt at Madison Square Garden. New York has won six in a row to post the clubs longest win streak since a seven-game tear from Oct. 31-Nov. 15, 2011. The defending Eastern Conference champions posted their two most recent victories in a home-and-home sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes. The Rangers won a 3-2 shootout decision over Carolina on Saturday, completing a perfect four-game road trip with the victory at PNC Arena. New York then beat the Hurricanes 1-0 in regulation Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Cam Talbot earned the shutout with 18 saves in the home portion. The win came two days after Talbot signed an extension with the Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvists backup is now 3-3-1 on the season with all three of his victories coming via shutouts. It was a lot of fun, not a whole lot of work, so its always a good thing, Talbot said. The guys played really well in front of me and they didnt give them a whole lot of quality opportunities which is always nice when you havent played a game in a few weeks. Ryan McDonagh scored in the first period to give Talbot all the support he needed. New Yorks captain notched his second goal of the season just 4:10 into the contest. Sundays win pushed New Yorks record within the Metropolitan Division over the last 10 games to 9-0-1 and the Blueshirts will try to earn their 10th divisional win of the season tonight. The Rangers are two points behind the Capitals for the divisions third automatic playoff berth. New York is 4-2-1 iin its last seven meetings with the Capitals overall.dddddddddddd The Blueshirts also own a 4-2-1 mark in the past seven encounters at MSG. Lundqvist is expected to start tonight for the Rangers. He is 16-8-3 with a 2.55 goals against average in 27 career outings against Washington. Washington enters tonights Metro showdown riding a three-game winning streak. The Capitals played Monday night against visiting Ottawa and posted a 2-1 decision over the Senators. The victory also added to Washingtons point streak, which is now at nine games (7-0-2). Braden Holtbys outstanding performance between the pipes kept the Capitals on a roll in the win over the Sens. Holtby recorded 38 saves in a game in which the Capitals were outshot by 39-23 count, with Nicklas Backstrom accounting for the deciding goal on a power play late in the second period. Holts bailed us out and gave us the chance to win, said Capitals forward Jay Beagle, who scored Washingtons other goal. Mike Green assisted on both of the Capitals markers. Justin Peters could save Holtby from playing on back-to-back nights tonight. The backup goalie is 0-1-0 with a 3.82 GAA in two career games -- one start -- against the Rangers. Holtby is 2-3-1 with a 1.89 GAA in his career versus New York. Washington is beginning a three-game road trip tonight and will continue the swing after the Christmas break with Saturdays away game versus Pittsburgh. The Caps are 5-0-1 in their last six road tests and boast a 10-5-2 record away from D.C. this season. The Rangers are 10-5-3 as the host and will complete a three-game homestand when it welcomes the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. ' ' '