Photos: Braves win home opener against Rays

Atlanta Braves

Photos: Braves win home opener against Rays

The Braves faced the Tampa Bay Rays July 29, 2020 at their home ballpark in Cobb County.

Braves win! Braves win! Fireworks are released at Truist Park Wednesday night after the Braves won their 2020 home opener over the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4. In the foreground are the backs of cardboard cutouts placed in seats for the game. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Braves reliever Mark Melancon celebrates with catcher Travis D’Arnaud after the final out of Wednesday's 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 home opener at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Braves star Freddie Freeman had four hits, including a two-run homer, in Wednesday's game. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Dansby Swanson had a stolen base and a pair of hits in the Braves' victory. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Play ball at Truist Park: Braves manager Brian Snitker (right) and Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash give each other a virtual fist bump and greeting prior to the start of Wednesday's 2020 home opener for the Braves at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Truist Park is void of fans during the National Anthem and a flyover by a pair of jets before Wednesday's home opener for the Braves. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Team mascot Blooper is alone in the seats while welcoming the Braves home Wednesday for their home opener against the Rays at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Braves righthander Mike Soroka, who started the season opener against the Mets, started Wednesday's home opener against the Rays. (Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com)

Braves third base coach Ron Washington looks on as Ronald Acuna rounds the bag and heads home only to be thrown out in the first inning of Wednesday's game. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Braves star Freddie Freeman celebrates with Ronald Acuna after his two-run homer in the third inning of Wednesday's home opener against the Rays at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Baseball Hall of Famer and Braves legend Hank Aaron was on hand to watch Wednesday's Braves-Rays game at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Civil rights icon and former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young had on his mask as he watched Wednesday's action at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Snitker meets with Truist Park 'fans': Braves manager Brian Snitker takes in the strange scene of 1500 cardboard cutouts of fans in the otherwise empty seats prior to his team's 2020 home opener Wednesday at Truist Park in Cobb County. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

A cutout of long time usher and VIP ambassador Walter Banks is one of 1500 cardboard cutouts placed in seats at Truist Park before Wednesday's game. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

The cutouts were made from photos submitted by Braves fans who paid $50 ($25 for season ticket holders) for the privilege of having their likeness in the seats. Proceeds went to the Braves Foundation. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

A cutout of former Braves executive Bill Bartholomay (second from right), who brought the team and major-league sports to Atlanta in 1966, is on display at Truist Park. Bartholomay, who died in March, will be recognized during the home opener. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

The Braves ground crew removes the giant field tarp prior to Wednesday's home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Despite the absence of fans, a Braves employee still cleans some seats prior to Wednesday's home opener at Truist Park. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Fans pay the high price for a balcony room at the Omni Hotel overlooking Truist Park to watch Wednesday's home opener against the Rays. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

The Tavern Bar was one option for fans to watch Wednesday's home opener against the Rays. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Game day at Triust Park: Braves fan Eric Hankins walks his dog Dexter past the closed up third base gate before Wednesday's 2020 home opener against the Rays. Hankins said he would watch the game from the Battery. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

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Credit: Curtis Compton

Braves win! Braves win! Fireworks are released at Truist Park Wednesday night after the Braves won their 2020 home opener over the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4. In the foreground are the backs of cardboard cutouts placed in seats for the game. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

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