Junior Caminero hits his 39th homer as the Rays beat the Braves 7-1

Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays achieved his 39th home run in a match against the Atlanta Braves, contributing to a 7-1 victory for the Rays. Freddy Peralta, Peralta being 8-11, allowed only one run in six innings, securing his third consecutive win. Peralta has been impressive since his trade from the Mets at the trade deadline, recording a 3-2 record since the move and allowing just two runs in his last 18 innings.

Caminero, who went 2 for 3 with a walk, a hit by pitch, and two runs scored, also hit a 455-foot blast off Braves starter A.J. Smith-Shawver, putting him in the lead for the American League in home runs. Other Rays contributors included Liam Hicks, who added a two-run homer in the third inning, giving the Rays a 3-1 lead, and Yandy Díaz and Richie Palacios, who each added solo homers in the eighth and ninth innings.

Victor Mesa Jr., celebrating his 25th birthday, had a stellar game, going 2 for 5 with a stolen base and RBI. Atlanta native Chandler Simpson, who stole his 40th base of the season in his first game at Truist Park, hit a single, scored a run, and stole a base. Despite facing difficulties since rejoining the Braves following Tommy John surgery, Braves starter Smith-Shawver allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings, marking his fifth start this season.