The Braves rallied to defeat the Marlins 6-4 Wednesday, their third straight win over Miami in this four-game series at Truist Park.
Here are five takeaways from Wednesday:
1. The never-die Braves emerged again with a four-run eighth to snag the win. Their victim was Marlins reliever Dylan Floro, who was charged with each of the earned runs.
The Braves entered the eighth down 4-2. First baseman Matt Olson greeted Floro with a homer to the Chop House, smashing an 86-mph hanging slider. An out later, catcher Sean Murphy singled. He scored on outfielder Eddie Rosario’s triple that just eluded first baseman Garrett Cooper. The ball rolled down the first-base line into right field, and outfielder Jesus Sanchez was far enough away that pinch-runner Nick Solak rounded the bases.
Floro intentionally walked second baseman Ozzie Albies, setting up shortstop Vaughn Grissom, who’d already had an RBI single in the sixth. Grissom singled to right, scoring Rosario for the lead.
“I feel like I need (those pressure situations) these days, it’s the only time I get a hit,” Grissom said, laughing. “It feels good to be successful in that situation. It seems like when you really focus down and have a real plan, a steady plan that often works out for the team.”
The Braves added an insurance run when designated hitter Marcell Ozuna reached on a fielder’s choice. Floro intended to throw out Albies at home but delivered an errant throw that produced another run. Floro was finally lifted from the game with the Braves up 6-4.
2. Outfielder Ronald Acuna put the Braves on the board with a 442-foot solo shot off Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara in the sixth, his fourth of the season. Acuna has been off to a fantastic start, leading MLB in plate appearances (113), hits (36) and stolen bases (13) entering the night.
Acuna, whose MLB debut was five years ago from Tuesday, is listed as the early favorite for NL MVP (+300) by DraftKings. On the five-year anniversary of his first career home run, he was once again his team’s spark. “He’s doing a great job, having a heck of a career for sure,” manager Brian Snitker said.
3. Alcantara, the reigning Cy Young winner, had been off to a disappointing start with a 5.47 ERA. He looked much like his old self for most of Wednesday, pitching five scoreless innings before the Braves chased him in the sixth.
In his final inning, following Acuna’s homer, the Braves loaded the bases on Austin Riley’s double and a couple walks. The Marlins replaced Alcantara with Huascar Brazoban. Grissom hit a sharp grounder into left, scoring one run before Rosario – on another aggressive send by third-base coach Ron Washington – was thrown out at home, ending the frame with the Braves down 4-2.
“(Alcantara) is one of the best in the game,” Snitker said. “It was just nice to elevate the pitch count that (sixth) inning, get him in trouble. It’s nice when you see him leaving, that’s for sure.”
4. Braves starter Bryce Elder went 5-1/3 innings, surrendering four runs. He hadn’t allowed a home run over 23-2/3 innings entering Wednesday evening. He surrendered three over the first four innings against Miami.
The homers came off an elevated fastball, sinker and change-up, respectively. Elder isn’t a hard-thrower – his fastball velocity averaged just over 90 mph Wednesday, in line with his season average – so location is everything.
“He was off the mark a little bit tonight, but again, got him into the sixth inning which is good,” Snitker said. “I was hoping maybe he’d get through that inning but he’s still been really, really good. That happens. You’re not going to be perfect all the time.”
Elder entered Wednesday with a 1.14 ERA, second among National Leaguers who’ve made at least three starts (behind teammate Max Fried’s 0.60 ERA).
5. Rosario has had an encouraging series, going 4-for-11 with two homers and a triple. “Boy, it could be something if we can get him back to what we’re accustomed to,” Snitker said. “He’s swinging the bat really well, off lefties, righties, the whole thing. So that’s big. We’ve seen him many times in big situations and he has a slow heartbeat, that’s for sure.”
Rosario added: “I was hitting the ball hard and wasn’t having any luck. I feel like I’ve stumbled on some good luck lately. But that’s baseball. You have good moments, bad moments. But you just have to enjoy and appreciate the good moments.”
Stat to know
302 -- Wednesday marked the Braves’ 302nd victory over the Marlins. Since 1993, only one team has more wins over another - the Yankees have beaten the Orioles 310 times.
Quotable
“We’re trying to figure out (how he’s a spark) too because we all want some of that. He’s absolutely electric up there. I can’t imagine any team that wants to pitch to that guy. So I don’t know what it is, but let’s try to figure it out so we can all, one through nine, put the fear of God into pitchers like he does.” - Grissom on Acuna
Up next
The Braves and Marlins conclude their series with a Thursday matinee starting at 12:20 p.m. Kyle Wright (0-1, 5.93 ERA) will start against lefty Braxton Garrett (1-0, 2.84).
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