The Atlanta Braves (60-28) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (57-35) 6-1 on Saturday night at Tropicana Field. For Atlanta, they become the first team in baseball to the 60-win mark on the season. For the Rays, it extends their season-high losing streak to seven games.
After first baseman Matt Olson got the Braves on the board in the fourth, Sean Murphy hit a three-run homer to give the Braves a 4-0 lead and all the offense they would need. The Rays got one back in the eighth on a throwing error by Olson, but the Braves answered with two unearned runs in the ninth to ensure this game would be a blowout.
Taj Bradley (5-5, 5.43) allowed four earned runs on five hits in five innings of work while striking out four and walking two.
The Rays look to avoid being swept in the final game before the All-Star Break on Sunday afternoon. Zach Eflin is scheduled to start for the Rays, while Bryce Elder is expected to get the ball for Atlanta. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage with This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES