Braves Lose 4-3 to Marlins Despite Ozuna Homer

Looking to secure a four game series win at home and keep the good vibes going, the Braves gave Grant Holmes his second start in the majors against the triple-A lineup of the Marlins.

The Braves looked to secure a four game series win at home and keep the good vibes going, as they sent Grant Holmes to the mound for his second career start against the Marlins' triple-A lineup.

Holmes started out well, striking out Xavier Edwards on his way to a 1-2-3 first. Soler and Riley each drew walks to start the bottom of the first, and things were looking very good for Atlanta. Ozuna grounded into a double-play, sending Soler to third with Matt Olson up to bat. Olson grounded through an RBI single and the Braves were on the board with the first run of the game.

Holmes got himself in a little trouble with two singles with two outs in the second, but got a flyout from Vidal Brujan to escape. Whitt Merrifield got a single to turn the lineup over with two outs in the home second, but Soler just missed a homer for the third out. A Jake Burger wall-scraper of a solo homer just eluded Jarred Kelenic’s glove, tying the game at 1 run a piece in the top of the third. Fortunately, Marcell Ozuna crushed a solo homer of his own in the bottom of the third that was anything but a wall-scraper, giving the lead back to Atlanta.

SEE YA! The Big smashes his 32nd home run of the year and the Braves retake the lead. pic.twitter.com/C9tfrMz6EO

Olson, Arcia, and d’Arnaud went single-walk-single following Ozuna’s homer to load the bases with one out for Eddie Rosario. Eddie grounded out to second, but avoided the double-play and brought Matt home from third base for another run. Jesus Tinoco came in to clean up the mess and struck out Jarred Kelenic to end the inning.

After a 1-2-3 top and bottom of the fourth, the Marlins offense found some “success” in the fifth with three consecutive two out singles (the first of which had an xBA of .230) and a double to score two more runs and tie the game up at 3 runs. That ended Grant Holmes’ outing, as Dylan Lee came in and got the final out of the inning. Still, Grant Holmes completed 4.2 innings with 4 Ks, 1 BB, and 1 HR allowed, which is not a bad outing for the rookie.

With the bullpens now controlling the game, the Braves’ offense threatened in the sixth, as d’Arnaud walked and Rosario laced a single. Kelenic struck out and Merrifield grounded into a double-play, however, failing to capitalize on the opportunity. The Marlins took advantage, bringing home a run on a single, a walk, and a double off of Pierce Johnson, leaving the game at 4-3 going into the seventh inning stretch.

The top of the Atlanta order didn’t manage anything in the bottom seventh, as Ozuna just got under what might have been his second homer of the night, as it fell a few feet short of the left field wall for the third out. Jesse Chavez got the eighth and worked around a two out walk to old friend Cristian Pache for a scoreless frame. Olson, Arcia, and d’Arnaud had a brutal eighth inning, as Olson and Arcia each struck out and d’Arnaud popped out in foul territory. Not exactly what you want from your offense when trying to come from behind. Jesse came back out for the ninth, with the team still trailing and got himself into some trouble, as a walk and a ground ball single put runners on the corners with two outs, but got out of it with a strikeout.

Jarred Kelenic singled with one out to give Atlanta a baserunner in the bottom of the ninth and it all came down to Jorge Soler after Whit Merrifield struck out, but Soler followed in Merrifield’s footsteps with a strikeout of his own, ending the game. This game was roughly a coin flip in how each team performed, but it went against Atlanta tonight.

Join us tomorrow for the final game of the series, as Max Fried makes his return, starting at 1:35 PM ET.