ATLANTA — Marcell Ozuna had three hits including one of four Braves home runs and Atlanta's offensive resurgence continued in a 9-2 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
Jarred Kelenic, in his first game batting leadoff for the Braves after a hamstring injury to Michael Harris II, was 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs, while Austin Riley hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning. Matt Olson hit his 11th home run of the season.
''He can assume this role,'' Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Kelenic hitting leadoff. ''He can run, he can steal a base, he's a really good outfielder. ... He's done what we brought him in to do. I've been more than pleased with his defensive abilities. Now, we're going to ask him to do a little more than we thought. If he's going to do it, he's ready for it now.''
Charlie Morton (4-3) allowed one run on three hits over six innings while striking out eight, walking two and hitting two batters. He also picked a runner off first.
''They are a good matchup for me if I can make my pitches,'' Morton said.
Ryan Pepiot (4-4) suffered his first road loss of the season for the Rays, who have lost seven of nine. He gave up five runs on six hits, walked three and struck out four.
Pepiot started with four scoreless innings, then ran into trouble with two outs in the fifth. The Braves touched him for three home runs and he was unable to get out of the inning.
''I thought he threw the ball really really well,'' Rays manager Kevin Cash said. ''The changeup to Kelenic, I think it was a 3-2 changeup, he was looking for a strike right there. Kelenic swung the bat well today and got a hold of them. After that fastball, (Pepiot) certainly could be gassed in the condition that he was pitching in. He kind of overthrew some pitches and they kind of made us pay."
