The Atlanta Braves (86-61) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (87-59) 3-1 on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the loss, the Rays were unable to complete a sweep of the three-game interleague series.
The game was tied 0-0 until the Braves came through with three runs off Kevin Kelly (6-4, 2.51) in the bottom of the eighth inning. In the ninth Victor Mesa hit a solo home run to pull within 3-1 and the Rays would get the tying run to the plate but Raul Iglesias would be able to close the Rays down and earn his 32nd save.
The Rays now return home for the final homestand of the season when they host the Houston Astros for a three-game series that begins on Friday night. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES