Martín Pérez leads Atlanta to 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 6:44 PM

Last updated Sep 10, 2026

Martín Pérez leads Atlanta to 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay
Summary

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Thursday, halting the Rays' attempt to clinch a postseason berth. Martín Pérez limited the Tampa Bay offense to zero runs over seven innings, while Austin Riley broke the tie with an eighth-inning single. Ha-Seong Kim added a two-run single before Victor Mesa Jr. homered for Tampa Bay in the final frame. Didier Fuentes earned the win in relief, and Raisel Iglesias secured his 32nd save. The Rays, who currently lead the AL East, entered the game needing a win and specific losses from other clubs to secure a playoff spot. Atlanta now prepares for a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, while Tampa Bay will open a home series against the Houston Astros.

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By the Numbers
  • Martín Pérez pitched seven scoreless innings for the Atlanta Braves.
  • Austin Riley broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the eighth inning.
  • Victor Mesa Jr. hit a solo home run for the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth.
  • Raisel Iglesias closed the game to earn his 32nd save.
  • The Atlanta Braves next face the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series.
Latest Updates
  • 6:44 PMYahoo SportsRays denied potential playoff clinch as Braves win 3-1 behind Martín Pérez and Austin Riley
What they're saying
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The Tampa Bay Rays were prevented from possibly becoming the first team to clinch a playoff berth when Martín Pérez threw seven scoreless innings and Austin Riley's run-scoring single in the eighth inning gave Atlanta its first lead of the series in the Braves' 3-1 win Thursday. Seeking its first division title since 2021, Tampa Bay (87-59) entered with a four-game AL East lead and would have clinched no worse than a wild card with a victory and a loss by Texas to Seattle or the Chicago White Sox to Pittsburgh.

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