Miami Marlins Are Overmatched When It Comes To Atlanta Braves’ Swagger And Power

The Miami Marlins lost their first ball game of the 2020 postseason to the Atlanta Braves by a score of 9-5 in Game One of the National League Division Series. The Marlins got a taste of their own medicine as the Braves scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the seventh inning. This is the first postseason loss for the Marlins since Game Three of the 2003 World Series.

Center fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. started the scoring early for the Braves in the bottom of the first inning. On the second pitch thrown by starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara, Acuna, Jr. hit a solo home run to right field that traveled 428 feet at 109.5 miles per hour. He had become the youngest ball player (22 years, 293 days old) in postseason history to lead off either a top or bottom of the first inning with a home run.

The Braves briefly maintained a one run lead as Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas led off the top of the second inning with a solo home run off starting pitcher Max Fried. By the top of the third inning, it appeared as if the Marlins were building momentum and ready to score more runs. After consecutive singles by center fielder Magneuris Sierra and second baseman Jon Berti, first baseman Garrett Cooper hit a one out double to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead. Within a matter of seconds, the Marlins had extended their lead to 4-1 after third baseman Brian Anderson’s single drove in Cooper.

The fireworks began in the bottom of the third inning as Acuna, Jr. was hit by a 97 miles per hour sinker on the left hip by Alcantara. The charismatic young superstar was clearly upset by what had happened as was his manager Brian Snitker. As National League East division rivals there is a history of intense competition between both ball clubs. Including the postseason, Acuna, Jr. has been hit by Marlins’ pitchers five times since his 2018 rookie season.

Acuna, Jr. channeled his anger and ran exceptionally well on the base paths. On a two out double by designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, Acuna, Jr. scored the Braves’ second run all the way from first base. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud’s double scored Ozuna and the Braves only trailed the Marlins by one run at the conclusion of the third inning.

Sparkling defensive plays by second baseman Ozzie Albies and first baseman Freddie Freeman were highlights of the fourth inning. However, Fried’s day had come to an end. Over four innings (70 pitches), Fried had given up four earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters. His manager felt that Fried had a hard time controlling his breaking balls.

Alcantara had moments of effectiveness for the Marlins amid Acuna, Jr.’s first inning solo home run and the two runs scored in the bottom of the third inning. It appeared as if he had come out in the bottom of the fourth inning in attack mode and carried it through the sixth inning. By the seventh inning, Alcantara was running out of gas. After surrendering two singles to third baseman Austin Riley and Acuna, Jr., Alcantara’s day was over as he was responsible for the two runners on base.

The Braves exploded for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. It started with a single by Ozuna who drove in Riley and then led to a three-run home run by d’Arnaud and then a two-run home run by shortstop Dansby Swanson. This was the most runs scored in an inning by the Braves in a postseason game since Game Four of the 1998 National League Championship Series. In this game, the Braves had scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres.    

The Marlins scored their final run in the eighth inning when pinch hitter Matt Joyce hit a single to drive in Anderson from second base. Over six innings (95 pitches), Alcantara allowed eight hits and five earned runs while striking out eight batters. He earned his first postseason loss.

In Game Two, the Atlanta Braves will give the ball to rookie Ian Anderson while the Miami Marlins will counter with Pablo Lopez for his first postseason start. The Marlins’ loss will be a good test for the young ball club to see how they can rebound from adversity during postseason competition. There were encouraging signs for the ball club regarding the performances of Brian Anderson and Magneuris Sierra as well as the overall offensive approach. The Marlins need to find a way to shut down the Braves’ potent offense and avoid the big inning since their brand of baseball is not based on power but speed and timely hitting.