Braves Sweep Marlins as Magnificent Miller Fillets the Fish
By Fred Owens
May 17, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller (17) reacts during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. The Braves won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Led by Shelby Miller and their young players the Braves completed a series sweep over the Marlins today in Miami.
How Sweep It Is
The Marlins much improved lineup and solid pitching was supposed to be a force in the NL East this season but injuries and a shaky bullpen slowed them down and they entered today in fourth place five full games in back of the Mets in large part because they Braves have owned them so far.
The Marlins rushed back their opening day starter Henderson Alvarez to make today’s start hoping to back him up with scheduled starter Tom Koehler but Koehler had to pitch last night leaving the already thin Marlins pitching staff exposed should Alvarez struggle. He faces the Braves new ace Shelby Miller whose last two starts included a complete game shutout of the Phillies and a seven inning one run outing against the Reds.
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The first inning saw both pitchers get three outs before the fans could settle into their seats, then the Marlins’ misery began. Singles from Nick Markakis and the scorching bat of Todd Cunningham were followed by a double from A.J.Pierzynski and a sacrifice fly by Pedro Ciriaco who started to give Andrelton Simmons a day off. Cameron Maybin walked and stole second when Shelby Miller pulled his bat back from a strike because he saw that Maybin had the bag stolen.
Jace Peterson singled to center scoring both Pierzynski and Maybin taking second on the throw. Philip Gosselin singled off Alvaraez’ glove and Freddie Freeman followed that with a single to right scoring Jace for the fifth run of the inning. The Braves scored again in the sixth when Ciriaco doubled and Maybin followed up with a line drive single to center but the game was effectively over after the second inning run deluge. The story of the rest of the game was Miller.