Atlanta Braves Get The Victory On Opening Day!

The Atlanta Braves took care of business on Day 1 of the 2015 season and defeated the Miami Marlins 2-1.

The offensive star of the game – new acquisition, Nick Markakis.  He went 1-4 at the plate but had two RBIs.  Julio Teheran was the Braves starting pitcher and lasted six innings, giving up one run off eight hits and one walk.  He picked up his first victory of 2015.

The Braves got on the board early in the first inning when Jace Peterson singled and then scored when Markakis singled to center field.

Atlanta scored again in the sixth inning.  Eric Young Jr. led off the inning with a double and Peterson sacrificed bunted him over to third.  Markakis hit a grounder to second base and Dee Gordon tried to get the runner out at the plate.  He was unsuccessful and the Braves took the lead back 2-1.  The speed of Young was to much for the Marlins.

The Braves won by playing a little small ball!

“That’s the way we’re going to try to create runs, it’s nice to see guys making fundamental plays,” Fredi Gonzalez said.

“It was a great day,” Peterson said after the game.  “We’ve got a great ball club and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Atlanta was able to get out of a tough sixth inning when Teheran allowed the bases loaded with no outs.  Luis Avilan came in relief of Teheran to get a grounder to third base.  Alberto Callaspo, who was playing third for the Braves, went home to get the runner there and then Christian Bethancourt was able to secure the double play at first.  Jim Johnson came in to finish off the inning.

Jason Grilli entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning and got the Marlins 1-2-3…Craig Kimbrel who?

“You have to think, of course after Kimbrel gets traded it will be a one run game,” Gonzalez said.  “And what do you know, 12 hours later we’re right there.”

The Braves won today and now sit at the top of the NL East.  Chipper Jones summed it up right after the game.