After a frustrating loss to the Miami Marlins on Sunday, the Atlanta Braves hoped to come out and defeat the Tampa Bay Rays. The game ended up being a pitching duel, with Erasmo Ramirez (9-4, 3.59 ERA) coming out on top. Ramirez pitched a great game ending his night with four strikeouts and five hits, notching his ninth win on the season.

The Braves' first inning looked promising until Cameron Maybin was thrown out at home plate while trying to score on a Nick Markakis double. Maybin's acrobatic attempt to jump over the Rays' catcher Curt Casali fell short as he was tagged on the shoulder just before touching the plate.

Williams Perez (4-3, 4.21 ERA) got into some trouble in the second after allowing a single to Logan Forsythe and then a ground-rule double to Asdrubal Cabrera. Perez showed poise though as he was able to get out of the inning unscathed. 

The Braves defense did all they could to keep the Rays from scoring. Maybin made a terrific jumping catch at the wall in the fourth inning. Adonis Garcia also made a terrific stop at third base in the seventh inning. Nick Swisher made some nifty plays at first base. 

Here is Maybin's leaping catch.

However, no one could stop Kevin Kiermaier from belting a two-run homerun, which would be the only points the Rays would need to win.  

Kiermaier's two-run home run that ended up deciding the game.

What doesn't need to get lost in this upsetting loss is the improvement by Williams Perez after his last two disappointing starts. He gave up a combined 14 runs on 19 hits in his last two outings. Tonight he only gave up four hits and two runs in eight innings pitched. Hopefully this is a sign that he's getting back to where he needs to be pitching wise.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez also showed rare emotion in tonight's game, after Eury Perez was called out for running out of the baseline while hustling down the line to first base. Gonzalez gave the ump an ear full, showing that he's not afraid to stand up for his players if he feels like they are not getting fair calls.

While tonight's loss is hard to stomach, the Braves will come out tomorrow and try to split the two-game series with the Rays. 

Game Two Matchup

The Rays will use Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 2.77 ERA) to try and conclude a two-game sweep of the Braves. Odorizzi has a 2.77 ERA this season but is pitching extremely well at home with a 1.40 ERA in eight starts. He's coming off of two no-decisions and hopes to have his team back him up offensively. 

The Braves will be sending Matt Wisler (5-2, 4.85 ERA) to the mound to avoid a sweep by the Rays. Wisler is coming off of two rough starts allowing a combined 17 hits and 12 runs. On the season, Wisler has an inflated 5.93 ERA in five road starts.