{"id":35654,"date":"2020-07-30T00:11:33","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T04:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=35654"},"modified":"2020-07-30T00:16:00","modified_gmt":"2020-07-30T04:16:00","slug":"atlanta-braves-win-home-opener-against-tampa-bay-rays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2020\/07\/30\/atlanta-braves-win-home-opener-against-tampa-bay-rays\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves Win Home Opener Against Tampa Bay Rays"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Braves 7, Rays 4<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/atlanta-braves\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Atlanta Braves<\/a> got back to .500 on Wednesday night as they defeated the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/tampa-bay-rays\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> in their home opener at Truist Park. This return to Truist Park was much needed for the Braves, as they had dropped two straight against the Rays while being outscored 19-7.<\/p>\n<h3>Braves Strike First<\/h3>\n<p>In the bottom of the third, with the game tied 0-0, outfielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/acunaro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a><\/strong> started the inning with a single off Rays ace <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=mortoch02,mortoch01&amp;search=Charlie+Morton&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Charlie Morton<\/a><\/strong>. Morton then got second baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/albieoz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ozzie Albies<\/a><\/strong> to ground out, but Acu\u00f1a advanced to second. Then, first baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/freemfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddie Freeman<\/a><\/strong> stepped to the plate and belted his first home run of the season to give the Braves a 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">It&#8217;s good to be back home!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForTheA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ForTheA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/R6Hx4Eq5hn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/R6Hx4Eq5hn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Braves\/status\/1288625920174182401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Offenses Come Alive in Sixth Inning<\/h3>\n<p>The Braves led 2-1 going into the sixth inning before the Rays scored three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Braves starter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sorokmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Soroka<\/a><\/strong> had been solid up until the sixth, but a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wendljo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joey Wendle<\/a><\/strong> single and a walk to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=tsutsu000yos\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yoshitomo Tsutsugo<\/a><\/strong> forced Braves manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/snitkbr99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian Snitker<\/a><\/strong> to call upon reliever <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/odayda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darren O&#8217;Day<\/a><\/strong>. O&#8217;Day retired outfielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/margoma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Manuel Margot<\/a><\/strong> on four pitches, but then things started to go downhill for Atlanta. Rays center fielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kiermke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Kiermaier<\/a><\/strong> singled to center to drive in Wendle, and right fielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/renfrhu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hunter Renfroe<\/a><\/strong> came through with a two-run, two-out single to give Tampa Bay a 4-2 lead. O&#8217;Day then walked Rays shortstop <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamewi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Willy Adames <\/a><\/strong>but struck out catcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/z\/zuninmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Zunino<\/a><\/strong> to end the inning.<\/p>\n<p>Now down 4-2, it was time for the Braves offense to rally. And they did just that. Back-to-back doubles from Braves catcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/darnatr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Travis d&#8217;Arnaud<\/a><\/strong> and shortstop <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/swansda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dansby Swanson<\/a><\/strong> made it a 4-3 game and gave the Braves life once again. With <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/drakeol01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oliver Drake<\/a><\/strong> now on the mound for the Rays, Albies came to the plate with runners on first and third and two out. Albies proceeded to hit a high chopper that Rays second baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lowebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Lowe<\/a><\/strong> could not handle, and Atlanta tied the game at four. Freeman came through again as he would follow Albies with a single to give Atlanta a 5-4 lead heading into the seventh.<\/p>\n<h3>Braves Bullpen Finishes Strong<\/h3>\n<p>With a 5-4 lead in the seventh, lefty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/minteaj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Minter<\/a><\/strong> took the mound for Atlanta. Minter proceeded to strike out the first two batters he faced and successfully fielded a ground out to send the game to the bottom of the seventh.<\/p>\n<p>When asked about how encouraged he was with Minter&#8217;s performance, Snitker responded, &#8220;Very. He&#8217;s thrown really well here in our camp and to start this thing off. So that can be a huge shot in the arm for us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Braves would add on two more runs in the seventh for a 7-4 lead, and the bullpen would continue to dominate. As a result, Minter, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=martich02,martin017chr,martin015chr,martin012chr&amp;search=Chris+Martin&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Martin<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/melanma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Melancon<\/a><\/strong> combined to strike out three batters and did not allow a single hit in the final three innings.<\/p>\n<h3>Freeman&#8217;s Impressive Night<\/h3>\n<p>After a lackluster start to the 2020 season, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/freemfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddie Freeman<\/a><\/strong> finally broke through, going 4-5 with a home run and three RBI. Coming into this game, he had a slash line of .143\/.400\/.214 without a home run and only one RBI. He was also fresh off an 0-4 game with four strikeouts.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the beauty of this game,&#8221; Freeman said. &#8220;[I] got to come back here today and switch it up a little bit. So that&#8217;s the thing with this game. You&#8217;ve got to be positive every single day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget, Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 before the 2020 season and did not report for Spring Training 2.0 until one week before the season started. So this slow start from the Braves star was not too alarming. Nevertheless, both Freeman and the Braves will hope that he can build on this game and keep producing for Atlanta&#8217;s lineup.<\/p>\n<h3>Up Next<\/h3>\n<p>The Braves will host the Rays again tomorrow night at 7:10 Eastern. Atlanta will send left-handed pitcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/friedma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Max Fried<\/a><\/strong> (0-0 record, 3.60 ERA) to the mound. Tampa Bay will counter with left-handed pitcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/y\/yarbrry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Yarbrough<\/a><\/strong> (0-0 record, 0.00 ERA).<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"cvcnzya1SBZC4aqzcd88HA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1227833380\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'cvcnzya1SBZC4aqzcd88HA',sig:'cXT9A4AC4RdWItNwUr7UJPJjA8W3fdbfqWa1LAGqtc4=',w:'594px',h:'424px',items:'1227833380',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Braves 7, Rays 4 The Atlanta Braves got back to .500 on Wednesday night as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in their home opener at Truist Park. This return to Truist Park was much needed for the Braves, as they had dropped two straight against the Rays while being outscored 19-7. Braves Strike First [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2924,"featured_media":35685,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,6],"tags":[48,833,206,951,566],"class_list":["post-35654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-braves","category-rays","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-charlie-morton","tag-freddie-freeman","tag-mike-soroka","tag-tampa-bay-rays"],"modified_by":"Aaron Cornett","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2924"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35654"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35654\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}