Jul 23, 2018; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (left) celebrates on driving home Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (right) after Freeman hit a two ru homer in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
July 24, 2018
Freddie Freeman slugged a two-run homer, Dansby Swanson blasted a solo shot, and Charlie Culbertson had a career-high four hits as the Atlanta Braves defeated the host Miami Marlins 12-1 on Monday night.
Culbertson went 4-for-6 with two doubles and three RBIs for the Braves, who stroked 16 hits, including eight for extra bases.
Freeman’s opposite-field blast was his fifth homer in eight games against the Marlins this season.
The Braves, who didn’t arrive in Miami until 3 a.m. after a rain-delayed game in Washington on Sunday, played as if they were fresh, winning for just the fifth time in their past 14 contests.
Left-hander Sean Newcomb (9-5) overcame four walks to earn his first win since June 6, ending a five-game drought. He had entered Monday 0-3 with a 9.75 ERA this month, but he limited the Marlins to four hits and one run in six innings, striking out five.
Jose Urena (2-10) took the loss, allowing six hits, two walks and five runs. He struck out four and was lifted for a pinch hitter after four innings. He is 0-8 at home this season.
Urena allowed Freeman’s 17th homer of the season in the first inning and Swanson’s eighth long ball of the year in the second.
Miami cut its deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the second on Justin Bour’s 16th homer of the year.
Johan Camargo’s two-run single in the third pushed Atlanta’s lead back up to 5-1.
A key sequence in the game occurred when Miami loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, getting singles from Martin Prado, Cameron Maybin and Miguel Rojas. Newcomb then struck out Yadiel Rivera on three pitches, with the final one swinging.
That forced Marlins manager Don Mattingly to lift Urena for a pinch hitter, but Derek Dietrich, in a lefty-lefty matchup, also struck out on three pitches.
After Miami failed to score there and lost its starting pitcher, the rout was on as the Marlins bullpen allowed 10 hits and seven runs in five innings.
–Field Level Media
