ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered and drove in a few operates on a four-strike night time, major the Braves to a 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Atlanta’s homer opener Wednesday.
Freeman, who was stricken with the coronavirus just before the shortened period and became so ill that he feared for his existence, has quickly reclaimed his location as one of the game’s most feared hitters.
He strike his first homer of the year in the third, a two-run shot into the empty seats in correct area, and included an RBI one that capped a three-operate sixth immediately after Tampa Bay pulled ahead with a few runs in the best 50 %.
The Braves snapped Tampa Bay’s 4-recreation winning streak as the groups fulfilled for the 3rd straight time, acquiring played in St. Petersburg the two previous nights.
Tampa Bay scrapped out an unearned operate off Mike Soroka in the fifth and pulled ahead for the initial time in the sixth, performing the bulk of the damage after Darren O’Day (1-) took about for the Atlanta starter. With two outs, Kevin Kiermaier drove in the tying operate and Hunter Renfroe adopted with a two-run one that set the Ray in advance 4-2.
But the Tampa Bay bullpen couldn’t keep the direct for Charlie Morton, who gave up 6 hits, walked a person and struck out 7 in a significantly-enhanced overall performance from opening working day.
Andrew Kittredge gave up again-to-back doubles, retiring only just one hitter ahead of offering way to Oliver Drake (-1). The funky correct-hander had a prospect to escape with the guide intact, but Willy Adames bobbled a high chopper by Ozzie Albies that was dominated an infield hit.
Freeman adopted with his fourth hit of the night, lining an RBI single to suitable-heart. Albies was thrown out at third to finish the inning, but Ender Inciarte experienced by now crossed the plate with the go-in advance run.
Atlanta added to its direct with two much more operates in the seventh. Mark Melancon worked a fantastic ninth for his initially help save.
The Rays denied Freeman another RBI in the initially right after he released a generate to deep correct that sailed further than the glove of Renfroe and bounced off the wall.
Kiermaier, racing more than from center to back up on the participate in, was in great situation to catch the ricochet. He wheeled and threw to 2nd baseman Brandon Lowe, who zipped a different throw residence that just was just in time to get Ronald Acuña Jr. as he attempted to elude the tag with a head-very first slide.
ROOMS WITH A Watch
Though no enthusiasts had been permitted within Truist Park, it wasn’t an fully supporter-no cost video game.
At the neighboring Omni Lodge, many dozen people today viewed from the balconies of key rooms that supply a watch of the playing subject. Other were being able to get a glimpse of the motion from the railing of the hotel’s pool deck.
TRAINER’S Area
Braves: Following missing the opening street journey with poor colds, Cs Travis d’Arnaud and Tyler Bouquets each rejoined the roster. There ended up fears that the catching duo could have contracted the coronavirus, but multiple exams came back again damaging. D’Arnaud bought his initially start out with the Braves, going through the group he performed for previous year in Tampa Bay.
Rays: OF Austin Meadows (constructive coronavirus take a look at) carries on to clearly show improvement and may well be equipped to sign up for the roster when the crew returns to Tampa Bay for a homestand that commences following Tuesday. … 1B Ji-Male Choi was not in the lineup after leaving the earlier recreation with a sore correct shoulder.
UP Subsequent
The groups will confront each individual other for the final time this season on Thursday. LH Max Fried (-) goes for the Braves towards LH Ryan Yarbrough (-), who pitched 5 1/3 scoreless in his to start with start.
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