Michael Harris II launched a two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday — their first road victory of the season.
Sean Murphy added two homers of his own, hitting a solo shot in the seventh and going back-to-back with Ozzie Albies in the eighth. The win ended Atlanta’s 0-8 road skid, which had tied a franchise record set by the 1980 Braves for the worst road start to a season.
Harris’ clutch blast — his second of the year — came off Cole Sulser (0-1) and capped a late power surge, as Atlanta slugged four home runs over the final three innings after trailing 2-0 early and later 3-1. Prior to Harris’ go-ahead shot, the Braves had been hitless in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position. Nick Allen set the stage with a leadoff double in the ninth.
Rays slugger Jonathan Aranda hit a two-out homer in the bottom of the ninth off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, but Christopher Morel’s flyout ended the game. Dylan Lee (1-1) earned the win with a scoreless eighth.
Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen was sharp, striking out seven and allowing just four hits over five shutout innings.
Junior Caminero homered off Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver in the first. Smith-Shawver also walked in a run with the bases loaded in the third and gave up an RBI single to Aranda in the seventh. Braves outfielder Nick Allen’s deep fly in the ninth set up the winning rally after Rays center fielder Kameron Misner made a diving attempt but couldn’t hang on.
Jose Caballero had a rough day on the basepaths for the Rays, getting caught stealing twice — once trying to take third in the eighth — and also getting picked off.
The series wraps up Sunday with Atlanta sending veteran left-hander Chris Sale (0-1, 6.75 ERA) to the mound against Tampa Bay righty Shane Baz (1-0, 1.38 ERA).
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