The Tampa Bay Rays (34-38) defeated the Atlanta Braves (38-31) 8-6 on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta. The victory prevented Atlanta from completing a sweep over Tampa Bay in the three-game weekend series.
Both teams exchanged runs in the first inning, and after Atlanta took a 2-1 lead in the second the Rays got the run back in the third thanks to a Brandon Lowe solo homer to tie the game 2-2. The Rays offense began to erupt in the fourth inning thanks to a grand slam from Ben Rortvedt to make it 6-2.
The Braves began to rally, getting two in the sixth and then two in the eighth to tie the game 6-6. In the top of the ninth inning, it was Jose Siri coming through with a game-winning two-run homer to lift the Rays to the lead.
Zach Eflin got the start and allowed four runs - three of them earned - in five and two-thirds inning of work in which he struck out seven and walked one. Jason Adam (3-1, 2.40) got the win out of the bullpen before Pete Fairbanks closed out his tenth save of the season.
The Rays are now off on Monday before beginning a three-game series against the Twins on Tuesday night. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES