A rare trip to Atlanta for Tampa Bay saw the Rays coming in red hot, with an eight game winning streak. However Atlanta (74-57) used a big eighth inning to knock off the Rays (70-62) 9-5 on Tuesday night in Atlanta.
The Rays started well enough, getting single runs in the second and third to build a 2-0 lead. Atlanta scored one in the bottom of the third inning, but really came to life in the fifth. After a pair of singles, Jake Bauers committed a fielding error on a Julio Teheran bunt that tied the game 2-2. A sacrifice fly and an error made it 3-2 Atlanta before Nike Markakis drove in two to make it 5-2.
The Rays answered with a two run blast in the sixth inning from Brandon Lowe, followed by a Willy Adames RBI in the eighth to tie the game 5-5. In the bottom of the frame another defensive miscue bit the Rays when Dansby Swanson grounded out and Jake Bauers was unable to complete a play at home that allowed Adam Duvall to score and give Atlanta a 6-5 lead. Tyler Flowers and Ender Inciarte both homered to break the game open and the Braves would get the 9-5 victory.
Ryne Stanek pitched a scoreless first inning in his start before giving way to Yonni Chirinos. Chirinos pitched five innings allowing only two earned runs - Chaz Roe (1-3, 3.79) got the loss after allowing three earned runs while getting only out out in the eighth. Longtime Oriole reliever Brad Brach (2-3, 3.83) got the win in relief out of Atlanta's bullpen.
The Rays and Braves wrap up their short two game series on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:35 PM - coverage gets underway with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch at 6:30 on 620 WDAE & 95.3 FM, your home of the Rays.