Rays enjoy confidence-building, back-to-back wins over Braves as bats gain momentum for playoffs

ATLANTA (AP) — Griffin Jax says the Tampa Bay Rays' confidence is soaring after two convincing wins at the Atlanta Braves in a matchup of first-place teams.

Seeing the Rays score at least six runs in five consecutive games boosted the team's confidence even more.

The Rays outhit the Braves 10-3 in Wednesday night's 7-2 win. Tampa Bay has outscored Atlanta 14-3 in the first two games of the three-game series.

Jax, who allowed only two hits and one run in five innings, said the AL East-leading Rays are showing a glimpse of what they can do in the postseason.

“When we can come into a really tough environment in the NL East like the Braves and take the first two games, I think it just instills a ton of more confidence in this group,” Jax said. “We’re still a relatively young group, not a ton of experience as a whole, but just for these guys to come in here and experience this atmosphere, it’s very playoff-like.”

The Rays hit four homers in the opening game of the series and Victor Mesa Jr. had two hits, including a home run, on Wednesday night.

“We all believe in each other, and we are a very special group in the way that it doesn’t matter how you’re doing, we always believe in that,” Mesa said.

Jorge Mateo, the No. 9 hitter, had a two-run single as the Rays took a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

“Pumped for him,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He came up and probably had the biggest hit of the game with two outs, picked up two runs to make it a three-run difference right there.”

Cash said he hopes his hitters are peaking as the Rays are close to clinching a playoff berth.

“It feels that way for sure,” Cash said. “I mean, you want guys to be feeling good heading into that last big homestand that we’ve got coming and hopefully more to come after that. So us putting up runs and scoring, we’re doing it different ways. Some homers, some timely hitting with two outs, getting some bunts down and stealing bases.”

Mesa’s homer was the Rays’ only extra-base hit, but Tampa Bay had three steals and six players drove in runs. Cash said the Rays rely on their entire roster to generate offense.

“Some teams are built a little differently where they just roll out eight, nine guys. I think our group really understands and knows that the best version of us is to utilize our entire lineup on a given night,” Cash said. “Regardless if you’re in there to start or you’re coming in late, help us.”

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Tampa Bay Rays' Jorge Mateo flips his bat away after hitting a two-run single against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ty Johnson delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz, left, celebrates with catcher Liam Hicks, right, after defeating the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Tampa Bay Rays' Victor Mesa Jr. celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Victor Mesa Jr., left, celebrates with third baseman Junior Caminero, right, after defeating the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

MIAMI (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer, Christopher Morel added a two-run shot and finished a triple shy of the cycle as the New York Mets outslugged the Miami Marlins 15-14 Wednesday night to complete a series sweep.

Lindor hit his 18th homer of the season in a six-run seventh inning that put New York ahead to stay.

New York squandered an 8-0 lead and led 15-9 before hanging on as Miami scored twice in the eighth and three in the ninth.

A.J. Ewing hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly with the bases loaded after Marlins reliever Josh Ekness (1-3) hit a batter and walked two and was replaced by Tyler Zuber without recording an out. Morel and Torrens followed with RBI singles before Lindor connected off Zuber to make it 14-8.

The Marlins rallied with Joe Mack’s solo homer in the seventh and Owen Caissie’s two run single in the eighth. Graham Pauley hit an RBI single in the ninth to get the Marlins to 15-11 before Griffin Conine added a run-scoring double and scored on Otto Lopez’s triple. Tobias Myers relieved Nate Lavender after Jakob Marsee’s one-out single that narrowed the gap to one and struck out Caissie and retired Pauley on a pop out for his second save.

Marsee had four hits and three RBI as the Marlins finished with 20 hits. Caissie hit his 14th homer in the sixth.

The Marlins used seven relievers and the Mets six in the game that lasted 3 hours, 38 minutes.

Daniel Duarte (2-0) allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings of relief for the win.

The Mets scored six runs second against Marlins starter Janson Junk. Brett Baty left after a single because of left knee pain and was replaced by Morel.

Mets RHP Nolan McLean (11-8, 3.06 ERA) starts Friday at the Yankees, who have not named a starter.

The Marlins and Dodgers have not named starters for their series opener on Friday in Miami.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

New York Mets pitcher Daniel Duarte aims a pitch during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee breaks his bat after hitting a single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez hits a triple to right field during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

New York Mets' Christopher Morel celebrates after scoring during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) gestures during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)