The Tampa Bay Rays (55-38) defeated the Atlanta Braves (45-47) 7-5 on Sunday afternoon. The come from behind win for the Rays gave Tampa Bay a series win in the first series after the All-Star Break.
After Ozzie Ablies drove in a run in the first inning, the Braves got RBIs from Guillermo Heredia and Joc Pederson in the fourth to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead. The Rays did not get a hit until the fifth inning when Brandon Lowe got a check swing single then came around to score on a wild pitch. Austin Meadows added a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to pull the Rays within 3-2, then Wander Franco hit a solo homer in the sixth to tie the game 3-3.
After Joc Pederson drove in another in the bottom of the sixth to give Atlanta a 4-3 lead, the Rays put together a four-run seventh inning to give the Rays the lead for good. Yandy Diaz had a two run home run that would give the Rays a 7-4 lead, which would prove to be enough as they held onto a 7-5 win.
Rich Hill lasted four innings in the start, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out four and walking two. Jeffrey Springs (5-1, 3.63) picked up the win out of the bullpen, while Pete Fairbanks converted his fifth save of the season.
The Rays return to Tropicana Field for the first time after the All-Star Break for a three game series against the Orioles. The Rays-Orioles series begins at 7:10 PM Monday night - first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES