Florida Marlins defeat Atlanta Braves 3-1 – MLB Update
Florida Marlins put in a good performance as they beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Sunday, July 31 to avoid a sweep at Turner Field in Atlanta.
After having won the first two games 5-0 and 5-1, the Braves were unable to complete the sweep against the apparently straining Florida Marlins.
The Braves, however, initially seemed poise to strike a victory. However, things did not work out. "As an offense, we should've capitalized a little more," third baseman Brooks Conrad said. "It doesn't feel good to lose a game like that where you have so
many opportunities to get runs in."
Interestingly, this was the 10,000th loss for the Atlanta Braves in the franchise’s history. Even more interesting is the fact that they had scored their 10,000th win a few weeks back. All in all, it threw a bitter ingredient in the
mix for the Braves.
"The 10,000th win wasn't a big deal to anyone in this clubhouse," catcher David Ross said. "Same with 10,000 losses. The one thing that tells me is baseball is basically a .500 game over long periods of time."
Sunday’s game had started with the first inning feat accomplished by Freddie Freeman. The 3-hit one-run first inning that Ricky Nolasco threw was taken advantage of by none other than Freeman who scored an RBI single to give the Marlins an early lead.
However, the Braves, who had won the first two games comfortably and without facing much resistance, saw Mike Stanton get an RBI single to level the score in the second inning, pitched by Tommy Hanson.
Marlins did not sound complacent on the Sunday. Once the Braves’ Stanton was able to level the score, the Marlins’ offence sprang back into action in the third inning when Tommy Hanson came to pitch.
Greg Dobbs doubled to deep right, enabling Omar Infante to score the tiebreaking run for the team, giving a 2-1 lead to the Marlins by the end of the third inning. Ricky Nolasco, continued with his effective innings, barely allowing the Braves’ offence to
score.
Hanson was subject to another hit in the fifth inning when the Marlins lead was already 2-1, as Emilio Bonifacio homered to take the lead up to 3-1, in a game which seemed to be in the Marlins’ hands by now.
Ricky Nolasco was able to guide the team to a much needed victory, as he pitched strong innings, backed by Edward Mujica as a reliever. Closer Leo Nunez was able to turn the 3-1 lead into a perfect victory for the Florida Marlins.
The Marlins put in a tremendous effort as they managed to restrict the Braves’ offence. Atlanta will be looking to improve their performance before their next match-up.
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