The Braves split a quick two-game series with the Marlins this week. Similar to their two-game series with the Reds this week, Atlanta lost the first game and then dominated the second with a stellar pitching performance. For as much as Mike Minor struggled against a hot Miami lineup, Brandon Beachy was the story of the series after throwing a complete game shutout.
Wednesday's game started well for the Braves as they staked themselves to an early lead, but Minor's continued struggles while pitching out of the stretch eventually led Atlanta to an 8-4 defeat. Neither Michael Bourn nor Chipper Jones started for the Bravos, which makes the loss a little more understandable.
For having such a rough go of it the night before, the Braves were in complete and total control for nine innings in the series finale. Beachy went the distance to throw nine stellar shutout innings, allowing five hits and no walks. He struck out six. Everyone in the Atlanta lineup (including Beachy) had a hitter other than Dan Uggla, and everyone other than Uggla and Tyler Pastornicky picked up an RBI as the Braves won 7-0.
The club now heads south to take on the Tampa Bay Rays to begin interleague play.
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