MIAMI – After being swept in each of their first three series and coming within one loss of a franchise record for season-opening futility, the Braves have a chance to be on the right side of a sweep Sunday against the Marlins.
Nick Markakis had three hits and three RBIs and four relievers combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings to lead the Braves in a 6-4 win Saturday night at Marlins Park. They have consecutive wins after losing their first nine games, and the Braves go for a series sweep Sunday when Jhoulys Chacin faces Marlins right-hander Jarred Cosart.
“We’ve been pretty darn good in the bullpen, that’s the No. 1 reason” for winning two games after losing nine, said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, whose job status likely depends on the team continuing to play like it has the past two nights.
Jason Grilli had three strikeouts in the ninth inning for the save, fanning Mike Stanton with two runners on base to end the game for the slugger’s fourth strikeout of the night. He struck out the slugger on three pitches, all swinging, finishing with a 92-mph fastball up the strike zone after Stanton was fooled on consecutive breaking pitches.
“Guys that take big swings — he’s trying to win the ballgame right there,” Grilli said. “You can kind of reveal the poker cards, if you will. You know what kind of swings he’s going to take off you. I started him off with two breaking balls and I think he was looking dead heater, as everybody could see from the swings.”
Braves relievers pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings in two nights, chopping nearly two runs off a bullpen ERA that had soared above 7.00 entering the series.
“(Hunter) Cervenka, (Chris) Withrow and (Jim Johnson) got some big outs, and Grilli obviously,” Gonzalez said. “The last three outs are the toughest ones to get, and you’ve got (runners on) first and second with the big boy (Stanton) at the plate. He can mis-hit one and hit it 380 feet. I’m proud of those guys, to step in and make those contributions.”
It was Grilli’s first save in his fourth appearance since returning from Achilles tendon surgery, an injury that ended his 2015 season just before the All-Star break. His two young sons were at his locker stall with him after the game.
“This one’s special,” said Grilli, 39. “I tell my kids, don’t quit. And I come back from a big injury. To get that first one was meaningful, and contribute. The way our bullpen’s been pitching, it doesn’t matter to me – we all have gotten many a save for bucking up and doing what we’re doing. That’s what feels good. We’ve got a good group of guys down there. We’re battling through it together. I’m most proud of that.”
Markakis singled on the first pitch of the game, then went to work with a two-out, two-run single for a 2-0 lead in the second inning. He had the first of three Braves doubles in the three-run fourth inning, his hit putting them back ahead after starter Bud Norris gave up three runs in the second inning.
Braves rookie Mallex Smith led off the fourth with a double off the right-center fence. One out later, Markakis doubled for a 4-3 lead, Gordon Beckham singled to drive in a run, and Freddie Freeman doubled to push the lead to 6-3.
Justin Bour’s one-out solo homer in the sixth trimmed the lead to 6-4. An infield single and a walk later, Norris was replaced by left-hander Hunter Cervenka, who got two big strikeouts, fanning pinch-hitter Chris Johnson (the ex-Brave) and Dee Gordon with two in scoring position.
