Six starters went hitless as the Miami Marlins plummeted toward the Wild Card fringe, unable to overcome Bryce Edler’s dominance and Atlanta’s relentless early-inning surge at the plate.
The Miami Marlins lost 4-1 to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, who clinched the series.
In 31 at-bats, the Marlins finished with three hits. Six of the nine starters went the whole game without a base hit. The Marlins (58-57) revert to one game over .500 and fall 2.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. got the first base hit of the game. However, first baseman Matt Olson and center fielder Michael Harris II left the five-time All-Star stranded to close the first inning. The Braves kept the fight going early. After Eury Perez walked second baseman Ozzie Albies, shortstop Mauricio Dubon singled, and advanced the four-time All-Star to scoring position in the left corner.
Third baseman Austin Riley drove Albies home to score the first run and give the Braves an early lead. Despite facing two outs, the Braves closed the second inning with extra insurance. Designated hitter Drake Baldwin singled, which allowed Dubon and Riley to score.
The Braves took a 3-0 lead.
Center fielder Jakob Marsee started the third inning with a bases-on-balls. He was forced out at second as catcher Joe Mack took first. The Marlins’ offense remained stagnant, failing to advance any runners into scoring position.
Harris II made his second appearance in the batter’s box in the fourth and carved out a double. Although the Marlins’ defense put two outs on the board, Dubon hit another single and Harris II extended the Braves’ lead.
The Marlins started to find a spark in the fifth. After designated hitter Owen Caissie was walked, Marsee doubled, and Caissie advanced to third. Mack grounded out, but the Marlins were on the scoreboard with a run.
After five innings, Perez wouldn’t return to the mound and Calvin Faucher took over in the sixth. Perez finished with seven hits and four earned runs allowed, two walks, and four strikeouts. Faucher started aggressively, striking out left fielder Lane Thomas and Riley. However, catcher Sean Murphy and Baldwin carved out back-to-back base hits. Faucher escaped the jam by striking out Acuna Jr.
Bryce Edler’s night ended after seven dominant innings. He allowed a hit and one earned run, two walks, and struck out three batters.
Unlike Tuesday, the Marlins couldn’t put together another late rally. The Braves will have an opportunity to sweep; meanwhile, the “Fighting Fish” look to respond and get back in the win column. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. E.T. on Thursday.
