Jose Siri hits game-clinching 2-run homer in 9th, Rays beat Braves 8-6 to avoid sweep

ATLANTA (AP) — Jose Siri hit a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth inning off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Atlanta 8-6 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Ben Rortvedt hit the first grand slam of his career in the fourth and Brandon Lowe finished 2 for 3 with a homer for the Rays, who entered having lost seven of nine.

“Wins are hard to come by,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’re feeling it right now. Leading 6-2 normally feels pretty good, but the reality is that teams are playing us hard. I’m certainly happy with the effort put in today.

Austin Riley hit a two-run homer in the eighth for Atlanta against Jason Adam (1-0) to tie the score at 6, his third straight game with a homer.

In the ninth, Iglesias (0-1) walked leadoff hitter Randy Arozarena and struck out Richie Palacios before Siri reached a low change at 416 feet towards the left center stands.

“I’m in the circle on deck, so I see it right off the bat,” Rortvedt said. “It sends lasers to all parts of the stadium. It’s a lot of fun to watch. It’s electric.

Pete Fairbanks recorded his 10th save in 11 opportunities for the Rays, walking the leadoff player in the ninth before retiring the next three batters.

Rays starter Zach Eflin allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

Braves rookie Hurston Waldrep struggled again in his second major league start, allowing six runs on five hits, including two home runs, four walks and a batter in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two. Waldrep allowed 13 runs in seven innings in the majors.

After the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Waldrep would be sent to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Matt Olson extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 3 for 3 with a double. For the second straight game as the Braves’ leadoff hitter, Jarred Kelenic hit a home run, this one leading off the game. Travis d’Arnaud was 2 for 4 with a homer.

Rortvedt’s grand slam broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth. With one out, Waldrep hit Arozarena with a pitch, then walked Palacios and Siri. Rortvedt hit the first pitch just inside the right field foul pole for his first home run of the season.

“In this situation, the first throw might be the best throw,” Rortvedt said. “My first (at-bat), I think I had six pitches and I flew out. The first pitch might be the best, and I take a swing at it.

The Braves cut the lead in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Adam Duvall and a throwing error by third baseman Palacios that plated Austin Riley. Palacios, who was playing third for the first time in his three-year career, made two errors.

Long-awaited debut

Right-hander Grant Holmes made his major league debut for the Braves after 10 years in the minors, pitching three scoreless innings. Holmes was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2014 amateur draft. The Braves sent left-hander Ray Kerr to Triple-A Gwinnett before the game and promoted Holmes.

Trainers’ room

Rays: Jose Caballero (illness) was expected to return to the lineup Sunday, but was injured late with calf tightness. Ahmed Rosario replaced him at shortstop. … Shortstop Taylor Walls (illness) was unavailable.

Following

Rays: RHP Aaron Civale (2-5, 5.20) will face Twins RHP Pablo López (6-6, 5.33) in the first game of a three-game series at Minnesota on Tuesday.

Braves: LHP Max Fried (6-3, 3.20) opens a three-game set against Tigers RHP Reese Olson (1-8, 3.68) in Atlanta on Monday.

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