Orlando Arcia and Michael Harris seemed to be the only bright spots in a disappointing game against the Miami Marlins.
The Atlanta Braves took on the Miami Marlins tonight in the first game of a three game series that could be pivotal to their playoff chances.
The Braves were the away team and they came up to bat first, armed with Ozzie Albies making his return and batting second where he will bat exclusively right handed. The Braves were facing Valente Bellozo for the second time this season. Last time they scored two runs on him, but only mustered two hits.
Tonight started of well when Michael Harris led things off with a single on a 1-2 count. That was all that was going though as Albies lined out followed by back-to-back strikeouts from Olson and Ozuna.
Morton took the mound for the Braves. In his last seven starts he owns a 2.68 ERA and 3.20 FIP. On paper, it looked like a good matchup for him as the Marlins’ lineup has struggled against him in the past.
Unfortunately, a good first inning was not in the cards. He was able to get Edwards to groundout, but then that was followed by a single and then a walk. With two runners on Jake Burger hit a ground-rule double to score the first run of the game. The bleeding did not stop as Kyle Stowers singled to put the second run across the plate. With runners on the corners, Jonah Bride hit a sacrifice fly which scored a third run to make the score three to zero for the Marlins. The inning finally ended when Morton was able to force a pop up.
The Braves looked like they were going to strike back in the second inning. Soler had a 103.3 MPH fly out, but it was followed by a single from Laureano. After Murphy popped out, Urshela singled to put runners on the corners. A run was not meant to be though, as Arcia struck out swinging on a nasty sweeper from Bellozo.
The second inning for Morton started off with more of the same as he gave up a single. He was able to settle down and sit down the next three hitters, picking up a strikeout to Pereda along the way.
Harris continued his hot streak in the third with another single. Ozzie popped up, but Ozuna singled to put runners on the corners. Olson then walked to load the bases. The Braves were looking to make this a closer ball game. Unfortunately, their low batting average with runners in scoring position plagued them again when all they were able to get out of the bases loaded was a sac fly to make the score 1-3.
In the bottom of the third, Morton yet again led the inning off with a baserunner, walking Sanchez. Burger hit a single but the runners were held at first and second. Morton was able to get out of the jam by striking out Stowers and then followed that up with a groundout that resulted in a double play to end the inning.
The fourth did not start well for the Braves as Murphy and Urshela were sat down. However, Arcia came through with a solo HR to make the score 2-3. This is Arcia’s second HR off of Bellozo in as many games against him. Harris’ hit streak on the night ended when he ground out to end the top of the fourth.
AR-SEE YA LATER pic.twitter.com/P7jKmnU3GF
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 21, 2024
Morton yet again allowed the first hitter to get on base when Lopez singled. However, he was able to settle down and retired the next three hitters.
The heart of the order was up for the Braves in the fifth, but nothing came of it with a three-up-three-down performance via a pop up, ground out, and fly out. Olson’s flyout flew three-hundred-eighty-one feet, but it was not quite far enough to get over the fence in center field.
Morton stayed in the game in the fifth, and you guessed it, the first hitter got on base. This time, it was a walk to Norby who promptly stole second. After a groundout, Norby moved to third and then scored on a wild pitch. Morton was able to get out of the inning without further damage, but he did give up another double along the way.
With the Braves down 2-4 in the sixth, Soler grounded out. Braves hero Laureano brought the score within one when he hit a blast over right center field.
Ramón Laureano takes a solo flight in Miami ✈️ pic.twitter.com/BITipWRpA3
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 21, 2024
This resulted in a pitching change for the Marlins who brought in Anthony Bender. It looked like luck may be in the Braves favor when Murphy reached on an error, but Bender was able to sit down Urshela and Arcia via groundouts.
Morton stayed in for the sixth, and finally got the first hitter out with a soft ground ball to first base in which Morton beat out the runner to the bag. He walked Conine, but then was able to force yet another double play to get out of the inning.
Bachar came in to pitch the seventh and Harris hit his third single of the night. But, Ozzie hit into a double play to end that momentum. Ozuna was able to single followed by Olson walking, but the top of the inning ended when Soler grounded out.
Dylan Lee came in to relieve Morton in the seventh. Morton ended his night with 6.0 innings, seven hits, four earned runs, four walks, and three strikeouts. Not his best night.
Lee had a shaky inning. Like Morton, the first hitter got on base. Edwards hit a single. Norby grounded out, which moved the runner to second. Derek Hill came into the game and struck out. The Braves then opted to intentionally walk Burger. Old friend Cristian Pache pinch hit for Stowers. The Braves countered by bringing in Pierce Johnson who struck out Pache.
In the eighth the Braves tried to get shifty. After Laureano reached on an error, it appears the Braves tried a hit and run. Murphy struck out swinging and then Laureano was thrown out at second on a close play. The Braves challenged the tag, but the call was upheld. Urshela then struck out to end the top of the eighth.
Joe Jiménez came in and was his old self and dominated the eighth, facing the minimum number of hitters.
This led to the top of the ninth with the Braves down one with Arcia, who has hit a HR already, and Harris who has three hits coming to the plate. There was a shimmer of hope. The hope was dashed when Arcia flied out on a ball hit well. It flew three-hundred-eighty-one feet. Harris lined out hard to left field on a ball hit 102.5 MPH, and Albies yet again failed to reach base.
Prior to tonight, the Braves have scored eight or more runs in nineteen games. They averaged three runs per game in the game that followed. They yet again were cursed by the number three as they only scored three tonight. The Braves had plenty of opportunities tonight, but could not capitalize. It seems to be the theme of the season at this point.
If the Braves want a chance to make the playoffs, they will need to win these next two games against the Marlins, before they face off against the Mets. If there is a glass half full moment, at least the Mets were down by ten runs when the Braves game ended.