Two Offensive Outburts Lead Braves to 9-4 Win over Marlins

Aug 11, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates a three run home run with right fielder Jason Heyward (22) in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Atlanta Braves have won yet another series, and they did so on the back of their offense during Sunday’s finale.

Freddie Freeman blasted an opposite-field, 3-run home run to give the Braves a 4-3 lead in the 5th inning, and the offense countered a Marlins rally with a 4-run outburst in the 7th to put the game out of reach on the way to a 9-4 margin of victory. Freeman’s blast capped a big day for the 1st baseman, as he finished with a 2-for-3 (with 2 walks) output that included another opposite-field base hit on a double to lead-off the 4th frame. He was also intentionally walked to set up an Evan Gattis RBI double in the decisive 7th inning.

In addition to the aforementioned double by Gattis in the 7th, it was a total team effort. Joey Terdoslavich led things off with an impressive, pinch-hit walk before a Jason Heyward single and BJ Upton sacrifice fly pushed him across the plate. Following that was the walk to Freeman and the double by Gattis, but the Braves weren’t done there, as Chris Johnson knocked in the final two insurance runs with the team’s second straight double.

To add to the Freddie Freeman explosion, the Braves got a huge day from both Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis. Heyward finished 4-for-5, and gave the team its final run in the 9th inning with an RBI single that scored Jordan Schafer (who had stolen 2nd base). The past few weeks have been a revelation for Heyward, and he continues to excel in the lead-off spot. In the case of Gattis, he generated two doubles (including one of the ground-rule variety), and he squared the ball up in a big way both times in route to a 3-for-5 total day at the plate. With the red-hot bat of Brian McCann, Gattis’ importance has been lessened, but he is likely the team’s best right-handed bat off the bench, and the Braves will need him to stay hot going forward.

On the mound, Mike Minor didn’t have his “A game” throughout the day, but he did more than enough to win. Minor allowed 4 earned runs over 7 innings, but he did so with only 7 baserunners (6 hits, 1 walk), and he struck out 6 for good measure. The most encouraging sign for the left-hander on this type of day was his ability to save the bullpen, as the team’s “ace” is certainly looked upon to go deep into games, and he did just that despite the 4 earned runs.

Following his exit, it was the same old story in the bullpen. Luis Avilan “allowed” a base-runner, thanks to a hapless Dan Uggla error, but he set the next three hitters down in order. He was followed by a door-slamming, 1-2-3 inning by Anthony Varvaro to finish the game comfortably.

It wasn’t all positive for the Braves, however. It would be almost irresponsible to not mention the Justin Upton bunt “attempt” in the 5th inning. Although it ended up being a moot point, thanks to the Freeman home run, the Braves’ #2 hitter decided to lay down an inexplicable bunt that got Mike Minor thrown out at 3rd base. First of all, Justin Upton should never be bunting, but in the midst of his blazing hot streak at the plate, the decision was even more indefensible, regardless of whether it was his own or whether it came from Fredi Gonzalez. Secondly, Upton had to leave the game following the bunt as he was diagnosed with a leg cramp, and while that was the best case diagnosis after he exited, it was a whirlwind of ugliness for that moment.

In the end, the Braves finish up the weekend series with 2 more wins, and that is a tremendous result. Saturday’s lack of offense was a bit troubling, but the “punch” reappeared on Sunday, and there are no signs of slowing down in the Atlanta lineup. The Braves will welcome the Philadelphia Phillies to town for a 7:10 first pitch on Monday night. Stay tuned.