Rays Defeat Braves 6-3 Behind Jansen’s Big Night

TAMPA, Florida — Danny Jansen‘s standout performance propelled the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday, marking a much-needed win after a turbulent stretch for the team. Jansen went 3-for-4 at the plate, hitting a home run and driving in four RBIs at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Starting pitcher Taj Bradley (2-0) played a crucial role, throwing six impressive innings where he allowed just one run on five hits, striking out seven batters and walking two. His effort helped the Rays secure the series opener after losing six of their previous seven games.

“I felt really good out there today,” Bradley said. “I was just trying to focus on my mechanics and trust my stuff. The defense backed me up, and we got some key hits when we needed them.”

The Braves opened the scoring in the first inning. Following a single by Austin Riley and a walk issued to Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson brought in the first run with an RBI single to center field. To load the bases, Ozzie Albies also walked, but Bradley managed to strike out both Bryan De La Cruz and Jarred Kelenic to limit the damage.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Rays responded. Taylor Walls and Yandy Diaz each recorded one-out singles. Brandon Lowe‘s sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1.

Jansen’s homer in the fourth inning, a two-run shot, pushed the Rays ahead 3-1. Later, in the sixth inning, Christopher Morel hit a solo home run, further extending Tampa Bay’s lead. After Kameron Misner’s single and stolen base, Jansen’s run-scoring single increased the lead to 5-1.

The Braves managed to claw back in the eighth inning as Ozuna and Albies both hit solo home runs off Tampa Bay reliever Edwin Uceta, cutting the deficit to 5-3. However, the Rays weren’t done yet. Jansen capped off his stellar night in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI double that scored Morel, creating a cushion for the Rays.

Closer Pete Fairbanks finished off the game, allowing one hit but escaping without further issues to earn his third save of the season.

“This win is a big boost for our team,” Jansen said. “We are starting to find our rhythm and hopefully can keep building on this success.”

The Braves have now lost 10 of their last 13 games, raising concerns about their slow start to the season. Bryce Elder (0-1) took the loss, giving up five runs on nine hits over six innings while striking out four and walking none.