ATLANTA — Trevor Story hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the fourth inning, and the Boston Red Sox snapped a five-game skid with a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night to open a three-game interleague series at Truist Park.
Atlanta jumped out to a lead in the first inning on Matt Olson’s RBI single. Boston took the lead in the fourth Story’s shot, added a run in the sixth, then got two more in the ninth on a single by Rafael Devers to send the Braves to their fourth loss in five games.
The Braves are 3-8 since winning 4-2 at Boston on May 16 to get above .500 for first time this season. They fell to fourth in the National League East standings later Friday night when the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Atlanta, 26-30 overall, is ahead of only the Miami Marlins (22-33) in the division. The Braves are a half-game behind the Nationals (27-30) and 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies (36-21), who are a game up on the New York Mets (35-22).
Boston improved to 28-31 and is fourth in the American League East, 8 1/2 game behind the first-place New York Yankees (35-21).
Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito allowed one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings Friday, when five Boston relievers combined to work 4 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and just one hit.
Story entered the game batting .131 (16-for-122) with six RBIs in his previous 30 games. He ended a streak of 57 at-bats without a home run when he went deep in the fourth.
Down 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Braves got the potential tying run to first base with two outs. Olson hit a grounder 112.7 mph to Story at shortstop. Story made a diving stop, and his throw to first appeared to pull first baseman Abraham Toro off the bag. Toro then threw home, attempting to throw out Luke Williams, but his aim was errant, allowing Williams to reach home.
The Red Sox challenged the call at first base, and it was overturned. Olson was called out to end the inning, and the score remained 3-1.
Both teams plan to start right-handers in the second game of the series Saturday as Boston gives the ball to Walker Buehler (4-2, 3.95 ERA) and Atlanta counters with Spencer Schwellenbach (3-4, 3.42).