Atlanta Braves Game Recap: The Blast That Swept The Marlins

Your National League East divisional leaders, the Atlanta Braves got the brooms out on Wednesday night as they defeated the Miami Marlins 2-0.

The Braves headed into the season being projected by most “experts” as being one of the worst teams in the MLB.  Not only that but the blockbuster trade of Craig Kimbrel hours before the MLB Opening Day.  The guys that are in the locker room look like they are blocking all of that out.

Atlanta scored 12 runs on Tuesday versus the Marlins but on Wednesday, neither team could find their offense early.

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In the top of the seventh inning with no outs and

on first base,

drove a line drive over the right center field wall to put the Braves up 2-0.

.

“It was great, just to get a hit and it gave us the lead was nice,” Pierzynski said after the game.  “Both starting pitchers pitched great and we just needed someone to get a hit…luckily for me, it was me.”

The Braves brought in Pierzynski this offseason for a veteran presence in the locker room and to be a mentor to young catcher Christian Bethancourt.  Pierzynski will be primarily used as a backup catcher…barring an injury or a huge slump from Bethancourt.

“I learned last year how to do it,” Pierzynski said of acting as the backup catcher.  “I went six weeks and only played in one game so I learned all about it last year.  You just have to say ready, focus and positive and just try to do anything you can on that day to help your team win.  My job here is to help Christian do the best job he can.”

Last year, the Braves team became well known for the amount of hugs they gave out after a big play or a home run.  Freddie Freeman especially gave out many hugs.  But with the older guys, that may not be their thing.

“I don’t think they hugged me, I think they were too excited.  I think they know I’m not a hugger.  I think Freddie tried and I denied him.  He hugged me on the first day of spring and I told him that would be the last time for a while.”

Braves starter on the mound, Shelby Miller, went five innings, giving up four hits, zero runs, two walks and had four strikeouts.  He only lasted five innings but threw 97 pitches so Fredi Gonzalez decided to take him out of the game.

“They fouled off a lot of pitches but I think for the first one of the year, I’ll take it,” Fredi said after the game.

“I was hoping to be more efficient than five innings but they put together some great at-bats and my pitch count got up,” Miller said following the game.  “I feel good about putting up zeros but at the same time I need to be going deeper into games.”

For a third straight night, the Braves bullpen was very impressive.  Between four pitchers, they went four innings, giving up two hits, zero runs, zero walks and had four strikeouts.

“We’ve got guys down there that can do it,” Gonzalez said about the bullpen.  “I feel like when we have a lead, I can go to those guys every single time, and we’ll be OK.”

The Braves have an off day on Thursday as they head back to Atlanta.  Friday begins a three game series with the New York Mets.  Projected starting pitchers for that game is Jonathon Niese for the Mets and Eric Stults for the Braves.