Souza accepts GIBBY at Nationals Park

Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. returned to Nationals Park this week as a member of the Rays. Before the Rays' 5-3 win on Thursday, however, he was lauded for the most spectacular play he made in a Washington uniform.

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Souza accepted MLB.com's Greatness in Baseball Yearly (GIBBY) Award for Play of the Year during a pregame ceremony. He earned the nod for the highlight-reel, diving catch he made in left field on Sept. 28, recording the final out of Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter over the Marlins on the final day of the Nationals' regular-season schedule.

Traded to Tampa Bay as part of a three-team deal this offseason, Souza stood alongside Zimmermann before Thursday's Rays-Nationals game as he accepted the trophy. He and Zimmermann posed together, holding the award at the same time as they smiled for photographers.

Video: Must C Classic: Souza saves Zimmermann's no-hitter

Souza entered Zimmermann's no-hitter in the top of the ninth as a defensive replacement. With one out to go, he moved toward the left-field line when Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich came to the plate.

Yelich ripped a fly ball into the gap in left-center, and Souza went charging over, leaving his feet and diving toward the warning track as he reeled in the ball to preserve Zimmermann's no-no.