Braves Drop 2nd In a Row to Last-Place Marlins

Jul 4, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Craig Kimbrel gave up the go-ahead run on a pinch-hit single on an 0-2 pitch to Donovan Solano in the 9th inning, as the Braves fell 4-3 to the Fish. Kimbrel had already walked Ed Lucas and Adam Morrison earlier in the inning before giving up the game- winning hit.

Braves starter Julio Teheran didn’t pitch poorly, but went into a lot of deep counts and had to come out after only 5 innings.  He gave up 3 runs and struck out 7 on the night.  The Braves pitching did record 15 total strikeouts between Teheran, Carpenter, Avilan, Walden and Kimbrel, but also gave up 6 free passes, an unusual number for a staff that normal has good overall control.

The Braves offense got off to a great start ,scoring 3 runs on 4 hits in the first inning. Freeman knocked home Simmons and Heyward and then was doubled in by McCann to take a three-run lead five batters into the game. Freeman is now hitting .424 with runners in scoring position this year, good for 3rd in the NL. Without Freeman doing the type of damage he is doing, I would shudder to see where this offense would be right now.

Unfortunately, the Braves offense did what they tend to do often, going completely cold, and didn’t score again and collected only 3 hits in the next 8 innings to drop their second in a row to the last-place Marlins.  This was only the second series the Braves have lost at home all season, and this was to a Marlins team that, even though they are in last place, has the best record in the NL East over the last 30 games.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th!