The Tampa Bay Rays (58-35) defeated the Atlanta Braves (60-29) 10-4 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The win snapped a season-long seven-game losing streak for Tampa Bay in the final game before the All-Star Break.
After Jonathan Aranda drove in a pair in the first, Isaac Paredes hit a two-run homer later in the frame to give the Rays an early 4-0 lead. When Atlanta got two back in the top of the fourth, the Rays answered with three in the bottom of the frame, including a two-run homer from Rays All-Star Yandy Diaz.
Yandy finished the game 3-for-5 with four runs driven in - in addition to the homer, he also hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth that made it 10-4 and turned the game into a blowout.
Zach Eflin (10-4, 3.25) earned his tenth win with five innings in which he allowed two earned runs on four hits while striking out five and walking none.
The Rays are now off until Friday thanks to the MLB All-Star Break. Randy Arozarena, Yandy Diaz and Wander Franco will all represent the Rays in the All-Star Game - Shane McClanahan was also named an All-Star, but will not participate due to being on the injured list. You can hear the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday, and MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of the Rays.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES