Field Level Media
Jul 11, 2021
Pablo Lopez set an MLB record by striking out the first nine batters of the game, leading the host Miami Marlins to a 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
Lopez (5-5), who did not record another strikeout after the third inning, lasted six innings and allowed five hits, with two walks and three runs.
The previous record of eight straight strikeouts to start a game was shared by German Marquez of the Colorado Rockies in 2018, Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets in 2014 and Jim Deshaies of the Houston Astros in 1986.
Dansby Swanson hit a pair of solo homers for the Braves in the defeat.
Jesus Aguilar had a home run and four RBIs for Miami, which ended a three-game losing streak. It was Aguilar's 15th homer of the season, but just his second at home.
Marlins rookie Jesus Sanchez, back in the starting lineup after Adam Duvall was placed on the injured list, went 3-for-4 and fell a home run short of the cycle.
Lopez's strikeout streak was broken when Atlanta's Ehire Adrianza led off the fourth inning with a groundout.
The Braves played their first game since All-Star right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. injured his right knee Saturday and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Braves starter Ian Anderson (5-5) lasted just 2 1/3 innings in his shortest start of the season, allowing six hits, a season-high five walks and four runs.
After Lopez struck out the side in the first inning while throwing just one pitch outside the strike zone, the Marlins took a 3-0 lead when Aguilar hit a three-run home run after Starling Marte and Garrett Cooper walked.
The Marlins made it 4-0 in the third on Sandy Leon's RBI groundout. The Braves scored a pair of runs in the fourth on RBI singles from Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia.
Miami answered in their half of the fourth to take a 6-2 lead on an RBI double from Garrett Cooper and a run-scoring single from Aguilar.
Atlanta pulled within 6-3 in the sixth on Swanson's first solo homer, but Miami matched it in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Miguel Rojas. Swanson added his second home run of the game and 15th of the season in the ninth.
-Field Level Media