The Atlanta Braves continued their midseason surge with a commanding 7-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday at loanDepot park, fueled by a complete team performance that included timely hitting, resilient pitching, and more brilliance from Ronald Acuña Jr.
Acuña, the reigning National League MVP, reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with two walks, an RBI double, and two runs scored. He extended his streak of reaching safely to 11 consecutive games and has now reached in 25 of 26 contests since returning from the injured list on May 23.
“Ronald is setting the tone like he always does,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “When he’s getting on base and creating havoc, our whole lineup gets going.”
With the Braves leading 3-0 in the ninth, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin delivered the knockout blow—a towering three-run homer to right field off Marlins reliever Josh Simpson. It was Baldwin’s second home run of the season and the first three-RBI game of his young career.
“Big-time swing from the kid,” said Braves first baseman Matt Olson. “He’s growing every day and stepping up when we need it.”
Marcell Ozuna got Atlanta on the board early with an RBI double in the first inning that scored Acuña all the way from first. Ozuna finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Austin Riley chipped in with a run-scoring single in the fifth to stretch the lead to 3-0.
Miami starter Eury Pérez (0-2) was tagged for three runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, making just his third start since returning from Tommy John surgery, showed flashes with six strikeouts but struggled to keep the Braves in check.
Atlanta starter Grant Holmes (4-6) battled control issues but ultimately kept the Marlins off the scoreboard across 5 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits and five walks while striking out five. His biggest moment came in the fifth inning, when he walked three to load the bases with two outs but escaped the jam by striking out Agustín Ramírez to preserve the 3-0 lead.
“That was the turning point,” Snitker said. “He dug deep and got a huge out when we needed it most.”
Relievers Enyel De Los Santos, Dylan Lee, and Rafael Montero combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings to complete the Braves’ third shutout of the season.
Saturday’s win marked the Braves’ seventh victory in their last nine games, continuing a climb back into contention after falling 10 games under .500 on June 10. Now within striking distance of the NL Wild Card race, Atlanta is showing signs of rounding into form despite losing key players to injury.
Before the game, the Braves placed ace Chris Sale on the 15-day injured list with a fractured rib cage—yet another blow to a rotation already missing Max Fried.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has now reached base multiple times in 11 straight games and leads the Braves in on-base percentage since his return.
The Braves will go for the series sweep Sunday afternoon, with rookie Hurston Waldrep set to face Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers.
