Martín Pérez leads Atlanta to 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 2:39 AM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
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.
- •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.
- 2:39 AMYahoo Sports — Braves beat the Rays 3-1, delaying Tampa Bay’s chance to clinch a playoff berth
- 10:42 PMYahoo Sports — Rays denied potential playoff clinch as Braves win 3-1 behind Martín Pérez and Austin Riley
"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 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.
"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.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 2:39 AMBraves beat the Rays 3-1, delaying Tampa Bay’s chance to clinch a playoff berth
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 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.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 10:42 PMRays denied potential playoff clinch as Braves win 3-1 behind Martín Pérez and Austin Riley
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.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- MLB•Oct 28, 2026, 3:24 AMBrewers’ Aaron Ashby reveals how he found his postseason groove in 2026
MLB•Oct 28, 2026, 3:10 AMHow the Brewers honored Bob Uecker during Game 4 of the World Series
MLB•Oct 28, 2026, 2:25 AMPostseason honor squad selected for Eastern Coteau Conference football- MLB•Oct 28, 2026, 2:05 AMBrewers fans amaze with World Series takeover of Tropicana Field
MLB•Oct 28, 2026, 1:54 AMBrewers go above and beyond with travel plan before World Series Game 3
MLB•Oct 28, 2026, 1:43 AMMore than 10 million people tuned into World Series Games 1-2
