Takeaways from Atlanta’s series finale win over the Marlins
The Braves came into Thursday’s game against the Marlins looking for their fourth sweep of the season and possibly a little revenge for last Thursday when the Fish used a rain-delay and a fortunate 9th inning to stop a four-game sweep. Either way, The Braves just use the Marlins as practice and extend their record to 6-1 against them this year.
In Dodd we trust
Dylan Dodd took the mound, and if we are being honest, he looked awful to start the game. He immediately allowed an infield single and homer to give away an early lead. However, after that he settled down a bit, and scattered eight hits and only one more run with one strikeout through six innings pitched. Really, the only Marlin he couldn’t figure out was ex-Brave Jorge Soler, who plated all the RBIs that Dodd gave up. Dodd did enough work to earn the win and go to 2-1 on the year.
Comedy of errors
The Fish floundered around on the infield with three errors, one of which led to an RBI for Sean Murphy and a run for Ronald Acuña Jr. An atrocious error by Marlins first baseman Yuli Gurriel on a routine pop-up to first base and two basic throwing errors did not help the Marlins in any way, shape, or form.
The MVP of the series was.... Marcell Ozuna?
Ozuna was a shark feasting on the Fish in this series as he just brutalized Marlins pitching for six hits, three of which were long balls that were absolutely torched (including a grand slam) for a total of 6 RBIs. He only struck out twice as he made contact in every other at-bat of the series. He might shoot for the stars and approach the Mendoza line.
Pitches be crazy
Michael Tonkin, Nick Anderson, and A.J. Minter all came out of the Braves bullpen to provide a nearly perfect relief outing. Tonkin allowed an early hit that came to nothing, and Minter allowed one hit in the 9th to make it interesting. Other than that, it was as clean as one could hope for, and the entire bullpen should be fresh to go to battle with the Orioles tomorrow.
Slump breaker
Matt Olsen broke out of his mini slump against the Marlins with a solo insurance homer in the ninth. He ties Ozzie Albies for the team lead in homers at 9 and now has 26 RBIs in only 123 at bats.
Box Score
The Braves plated 6 runs on 12 hits with no errors, while the Marlins slip across only 3 runs on 10 hits with 3 errors.
Dodd gets the win, Luzardo takes the L, and Minter gets his 7th save.
The Braves finished the series sweep in dominating fashion with 26 runs on 39 hits for the three-game set.
The Closer
The Braves finished this road trip with a blistering 5-1 record. That is an awe inspiring 15-3 record away from home this season. They improved their overall record to 22-10, leading the National League and have an 8-2 record over their last 10 with a 6-game lead over the Mets for the National League East.
Quick Swings
At this point why is anyone even trying to steal a base on Sean Murphy? Believe it or not, the Fish sent their catcher to try it. It went exactly how you think it did, bringing Muphy’s caught stealing stat up to 6 early in this season.
Acuña Jr. Stole his 15th base of the season on his quest to join the 40/40 club.
Marlin’s starter Luzardo let the pitch count get out of hand, which got the Braves into the bullpen early.
Braves SS Orlando Arcia has started swinging the bat in his rehab.
Closer Raisel Iglesias is very close to returning to the club as he nears the end of his rehab.
The Braves feel comfortable in the Marlins house, carrying a 66-32 record in their home away from home.
The Braves are done fishing and move on to bird hunting next.
Where to catch the Braves next!
The Braves will grab a plane back home this evening as they gear up for an early season inter-league game with the suddenly solid Baltimore Orioles and their incredible bullpen, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:20 ET. Braves Today will be the go-to site for everything a Braves’ fan would want to know. Braves Today Podcast will fill you in on anything else you could possibly want about the Braves. The game will be broadcast in Braves Country on Bally Sports South and is available on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on WIFN 1340 AM/103.7FM or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.
More Stories from the Marlins series
Takeaways: Elder keys Atlanta to 6-0 series-opening win at Miami
WATCH: Eddie Rosario knocks in Matt Olson for the second time tonight, pushes Braves lead to 3-0
WATCH: Ozzie Albies takes Sandy Alcantara deep to give Braves early lead at Miami
Podcast: Is Ronald Acuña okay?
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