MLB-leading Braves top Rays in matchup of teams with the best records in baseball
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer and the red-hot Atlanta Braves started a weekend sequence between groups with the very best information within the main leagues with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night time.
With right-hander Charlie Morton (9-6) pitching into the seventh inning and Murphy extending an influence surge that has seen Atlanta homer in 24 straight outings, the Braves received for the nineteenth time in 21 video games to enhance baseball’s finest mark to 59-28.
The AL-best Rays (57-34) have misplaced a season-high six straight, though that wasn’t the lone motive for concern after beginning pitcher Tyler Glasnow (2-3) left within the sixth inning with what the membership introduced was “cramping.”
Murphy went deep within the fourth inning after Atlanta’s first baserunner, Matt Olson, reached on an error. The drive to right-center worn out a 1-0 lead the Rays took on Wander Franco’s homer off Morton within the first.
Atlanta, which leads the majors with 167 homers, has homered in 24 straight video games courting to June 11. That’s the longest lively streak within the majors and second-longest within the franchise’s trendy period behind a 25-gamer in 1998.
Morton, who was 18-8 with a 3.33 ERA in 42 begins over two seasons with Tampa Bay, pitched at Tropicana Field for the primary time since leaving the Rays after serving to the workforce attain the World Series in 2020.
The 39-year-old right-hander allowed one run and 4 hits Atlanta turned to its bullpen with one out within the seventh. A.J. Minter, Nick Anderson and Raisel Iglesias, who labored the ninth for his sixteenth save in 18 alternatives, completed the six-hitter.
The Braves, in the meantime, have been restricted to 2 hits as Ronald Acuna Jr. (16 video games) and Marcell Ozuna (15) noticed lengthy hitting streaks finish.
Glasnow departed after giving up a single to Olson with two outs within the sixth. He struck out eight, together with all 4 batters he confronted within the second inning, which was extended when Ozuna fanned on a wild pitch that allowed him to achieve base.
The Rays stated Glasnow left as a result of cramping, however didn’t present another particulars.
TRAVELING BUT NOT PITCHING
Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated right-handers Spence Strider and Bryce Elder towards Tampa Bay, received’t pitch Tuesday night time within the All-Star Game. Both will journey to Seattle, nonetheless, and participate within the different actions. Snitker is ready to begin Saturday, and Elder on Sunday.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: LHP Max Fried, sidelined since May 5 with a strained left forearm, will begin a minor league rehab project Sunday with Triple-A Gwinnett.
Rays: All-Star Shane McClanahan (mid-back tightness) threw along with his pitching supply for 5 minutes from 60 toes on degree floor for the primary time. The lefty is anticipated to return July 16 to pitch at Kansas City. … Reliever Andrew Kittredge (Tommy John surgical procedure) struck out two throughout a scoreless inning in his second sport with the rookie-level FCL Rays.
UP NEXT
Strider (10-2) will face Rays rookie RHP Taj Bradley (5-4) on Saturday. Bradley, who grew up a Braves fan, has given up 12 earned runs over 7 1/3 innings (14.73 ERA) in his final two begins.
