Braves Rout Marlins With Hot Hitting, Solid Pitching
By Alex Burke
Jose Fernandez gives up a career-high 9 runs as the Braves rout the Marlins in Atlanta.
Braves pitcher Lucas Harrell‘s start today was not only his first start for the Atlanta Braves, it was also his first Major League start since 2014. After signing with the Braves on May 20th, Harrell was called up to take the place of traded Bud Norris against Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez in Atlanta.
Harrell blazed through the first two innings, allowing zero base-runners while striking out the Marlins’ 2-5 hitters consecutively (all swinging). In the top of the 3rd inning, Harrell ran into a little bit of trouble as Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich led off the inning with a line drive single to left-center and Ichiro Suzuki brought him home with a two-out triple to score the Marlins’ only run of the game.
Ichiro’s triple was the 92nd of his career and his first this season, but the hit was more notable for the fact that it brings the legendary Japanese outfielder one hit closer to 3,000 MLB hits. Ichiro is now only 11 away from the milestone.
Shuffling the Ace
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The biggest story of the night, however, was how well the Braves hit Jose Fernandez. Jace Peterson, leading off the bottom of the first inning, set the tone early with his seventh double of the season to left field. Jace’s batting average is now up to .295 (.348 since being called up again from the Minors) and his hitting streak extends to 13 games.
Later in the inning, Freddie Freeman turned Fernandez’s 98 mph fastball into a souvenir and scored the games’ first two runs. The Braves jumped on Fernandez early this game, contrary to Fernandez’s last start against the Braves on June 21st in which the Braves threatened early, but ended up being shutout over seven innings by the Marlins pitcher.
After the home run, Fernandez appeared to be settling into the ball game, but his atrocious seven run 6th inning chased him out of the game early. For the Braves, those seven runs were the most they’ve scored in one inning all season. Fernandez was pulled with two out after giving up a three-run homer to Jace Peterson.
17. 1. 82. Final. 9
Notable Stat Lines From The Game
- Lucas Harrell (W, 1-0): 6IP, 3H, ER, BB, 5K
- Jose Fernandez (L, 10-4): 5.2IP, 8H, 9R, 6ER, BB, 8K
- Freddie Freeman: 3-4, HR, 2 RBI
- Jace Peterson: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
Other Notes From The Game
- Chase D’arnaud started for the Braves in CF as Inciarte is DTD with a groin injury.
- Struggling Giancarlo Stanton did not start for the Marlins, but did come in for one pinch-hit appearance late in the game.
- Marlins first baseman Justin Bour suffered a right-ankle sprain in the sixth inning and left the game.
- Braves relief pitcher Mauricio Cabrera recorded his first Major League strikeout in the 7th inning.
- Braves second baseman Gordon Beckham is scheduled to make a Minor League start at shortstop today, expected to make his return July 4th in Philadelphia.
Next: It Was a Day of Epic Ink
Now it’s pack-up-everything-real-quick time, for we’re off to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina!