Devers homers in 9th to give Red Sox 7-6 win over Braves
BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers homered leading off the bottom of the ninth inning against Pierce Johnson, sending the Boston Red Sox to a 7-6 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night that snapped their four-game losing streak.
Jarren Duran had a two-run homer and a tying two-run single for the Red Sox, who had dropped 10 of 15.
Atlanta’s Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna hit consecutive first-inning homers off Lucas Giolito, helping the Braves build a 5-0 lead before the Red Sox came charging back with two runs in the seventh and two in the eighth.
Drake Baldwin added a two-run homer for Atlanta, which lost for only the fifth time in 14 games.
Aroldis Chapman (3-2) struck out three in a scoreless inning for the win.
Eli White had three singles and a couple of nice running catches on back-to-back plays in the fourth for the Braves.
It was the second straight night that Olson was the front end of back-to-back homers after he hit a solo shot in a series-opening victory Friday.
Baldwin’s drive sailed over the top of the right-field foul pole, making it 5-0 in the third.
Making his fourth start after missing 2024 following elbow surgery, Giolito was tagged for six runs in four innings.
Key moment
Devers hit a 2-1 curveball from Johnson (1-1) into Boston’s bullpen.
Key stat
Atlanta (23-23) is only the fifth team to start 0-7 and move above .500. None of the previous four made the playoffs.
Up next
Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (2-3, 3.31 ERA) pitches against RHP Brayan Bello (2-0, 2.33) in the series finale Sunday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
