The Atlanta Braves broke in their new spring stadium in style on Sunday defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in their final Grapefruit League game of 2019. The Braves will move into CoolToday Park in North Port exclusively for the 2020 season.
Sunday’s game was a bit more than a dress rehearsal for Kevin Gausman who is still likely to begin the season on the injured list but is hoping to join Atlanta’s rotation during the second week of the season. Gausman put together his best performance of the spring throwing 77 pitches while allowing three hits over 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Gausman exhibited good command striking out five while walking three although two of those walks came in the fourth as he appeared to be tiring.
Offensively, went to work early against Tampa starter Tyler Glasnow plating a pair of first inning runs on singles by Nick Markakis and Ozzie Albies.
Brian McCann brought home two more in the third to make it 4-0. Daniel Robertson hit a two-run home run off of Josh Graham in the seventh to account for both of the Rays’ runs.
Luke Jackson struck out three and walked one in 1+ innings of relief. Jordan Harrison made his spring debut allowing one hit and struck out three in 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.
The Braves will travel back to Atlanta after the game where they will host a pair of exhibition games at SunTrust Park on Monday and Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
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