Field Level Media
Apr 7, 2019
Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson lined the game-winning single into left field with the bases loaded to give the Braves a 4-3 walk-off win against the visiting Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Atlanta's rally began when Freddie Freeman reached on an infield hit that reliever Adam Conley couldn't come up with cleanly. Ronald Acuna Jr. then reached on catcher's interference. A walk to Nick Markakis loaded the bases and set the stage for Swanson's heroics.
Swanson had given the team a 3-2 lead with a homer in the fourth inning. He became the first Atlanta shortstop to have three homers in the first nine games of a season.
Miami's Curtis Granderson tied the game at 3 with one out in the ninth with a pinch-hit solo homer to straightaway center field against closer Arodys Vizcaino. Granderson had struck out five times in the first two games of the series.
Vizcaino (1-0) got the win, while Conley (0-2) took the loss.
Atlanta's Sean Newcomb worked seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits and two walks, with two strikeouts. It was his longest outing since July 29, 2018, when he came within an out of a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Miami starter Caleb Smith pitched six effective innings. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks and seven strikeouts. He allowed two home runs.
The Braves got two quick runs in the first inning. Ozzie Albies led off the game with a single and scored on Freeman's first homer of the season.
The Marlins tied the game with two runs in the second. With the bases loaded, Smith hit a grounder that glanced off the glove of Newcomb and was fielded by Swanson, who had no play. Miguel Rojas walked to send another run home.
The Marlins began the eighth inning with two base hits against reliever Jesse Biddle. But rookie Wes Parsons struck out Brian Anderson and got Starlin Castro to ground into a double play.
Atlanta catcher Alex Jackson made his major league debut. He was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett after the club put veteran Brian McCann on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. Backup catcher Tyler Flowers was unable to play because he was hit by a pitch on the wrist after he replaced McCann on Friday night.
The Braves begin a three-game road trip on Monday in Colorado. Miami begins a three-game series at Cincinnati on Tuesday.
--Field Level Media