Atlanta Braves Sweep Marlins “I Don’t Know What To Say”

The Braves arrived in Miami, Florida deflated after losing four straight games to the Boston Red Sox…but one of the best things about baseball is that tomorrow brings you another game.

So bring in the Miami Marlins, who were tied with the Braves on top of the NL East standings heading into the series.  The Braves seemed determined – and had some timely hits and great pitcher – and got the series sweep!

“We came out and probably played as good a series as we’ve played in a while,” Fredi Gonzalez said after the game on Sunday.  “I’m really proud of our club.”

Aaron Harang threw very well Sunday pitching 6.2 innings and only allowing two runs off five hits.  He didn’t pick up the win but put the Braves in a great position to win the game.

The man who did win the game for the Braves was Evan Gattis.  Gattis hit a two-run home run off Steve Cishek in the top of the 9th inning to put the Braves up 4-2.

“I can’t believe I hit a homer,” Gattis said.  “I don’t know what to say about it.”

This was Gattis’ fifth home run in this ball park during his young career and his 11 of the 2014 season.

“Boy that was a big home run,” Fredi Gonzalez said.  “In this ball park, against that reliever…that doesn’t happen often and Gattis made him pay for it.”

Shae Simmons came into the game in the bottom of the 9th inning to pick up the save for the Braves.  His first major league save for the 23-year-old.

“He’s got great stuff, he throws the ball hard, he has a good curveball and a good spliter,” said Gattis.  “I’m sure we’ll see more from him and I’m just happy for him.”

The Braves called up Simmons late Friday night and has made two appearances in as many games for Atlanta.

“The young kid there in the 9th inning did a nice job,” Gonzalez said.  “He has electric stuff and he’s pretty darn good.”

Freddie Freeman was able to pick up two hits during the series…the first two hits against the Marlins this season – as he is now 2-36 against the Miami in 2014.  On the other side of the coin, Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton continues to struggle versus the Braves.  As the Braves were able to contain him to only two hits during the series.

“For whatever reason, we get Stanton and they get Freeman,” said Fredi after the game.

Tommy La Stella continues to put the ball in play and get hits.  Sunday he piled on two more as he is now 6-15 and has a batting average of .400 and on base percentage of .471 during his five games in 2014.

“He gives you really good at bats so we’ll continue to run him out there,” Gonzalez said of La Stella.