Braves deliver clutch hits to get better of Athletics

Sean Murphy’s bloop double produced the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and helped the Atlanta Braves beat the visiting Oakland A’s 3-1 on Sunday to win the rubber game of their three-game series.

Murphy, who spent four seasons with the A’s before being acquired by the Braves in 2023, lofted a perfectly placed double near the right-field line to drive home Adam Duvall, whose one-out walk began the rally against Austin Adams (0-1).

The Braves added an insurance run in the eighth off Dany Jimenez. Marcell Ozuna doubled and Ozzie Albies drove in pinch-runner J.P. Martinez.

Dylan Lee (2-1) earned the win and Raisel Iglesias worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his 15th save.

Both starting pitchers were impressive, but neither received a decision.

Oakland’s Luis Medina made his first appearance of the season. The right-hander sprained the MCL in his right knee during spring training and missed the first 60 games. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run (unearned) on two hits, two walks and six strikeouts.

Atlanta’s Charlie Morton bounced back from a poor start on Monday when he allowed eight runs against Washington. The veteran right-hander pitched six scoreless innings on one hit, five walks and six strikeouts. It was his third scoreless start of the season.

The Braves scored a run in the first inning. Ozuna walked to extend his streak of reaching base to 26 games, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on Matt Olson’s RBI single.

Oakland tied the game 1-1 in the seventh inning on Zack Gelof’s fourth homer, a 436-foot shot to center field, off Lee.

Neither team plays on Monday. The Braves begin a nine-game road trip with a two-game series in Boston beginning Tuesday. Oakland starts a six-game homestand on Tuesday with three games against the Seattle Mariners.

–Field Level Media

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