The Atlanta Braves continued their strong early-season surge Wednesday night, riding another impressive outing from Bryce Elder and three home runs to a 6–3 victory over the Miami Marlins. The win secured Atlanta’s fifth series victory of the young season and reinforced their hold atop the division standings.
Elder, who entered the year viewed by many as a question mark in the rotation, continued to silence any doubts with another sharp performance. The right-hander worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while walking two and striking out seven. He improved to 2–1 on the season and lowered his ERA to a sparkling 0.77 through four starts.
Atlanta struck first in the early innings and never looked back. The Braves opened the scoring in the third inning when Ozzie Albies launched a 370-foot solo homer off Miami starter Chris Paddack that just cleared the right-field wall. It was Albies’ fourth home run of the season and set the tone for Atlanta’s offense.
Moments later, the Braves kept the pressure on with three consecutive singles, capped by Mauricio Dubón’s RBI liner that extended the lead to 2–0.
Miami appeared poised to respond in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and one out, but Atlanta turned the tide with a key defensive play. Xavier Edwards was initially ruled safe at first base on a potential inning-ending double play. After a challenge from the Braves, replay showed Dubón’s throw reached Matt Olson’s glove just before Edwards’ foot hit the bag, ending the inning and preserving the shutout.
Austin Riley, who had been off to a slow start at the plate, delivered a major breakthrough in the sixth inning. The All-Star third baseman blasted his first home run of the season, sending a drive into the left-field seats to push the lead to 3–0.
Atlanta added more insurance in the seventh when Matt Olson crushed a two-run homer off Andrew Nardi, stretching the advantage to 5–0 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
Miami finally broke through in the eighth inning when Liam Hicks connected for a two-run homer, trimming the deficit to 6–2 and ending Elder’s shutout bid for the Atlanta pitching staff. Reliever Robert Suárez limited further damage by inducing an inning-ending double play.
Closer Raisel Iglesias handled the ninth with authority, striking out the side to record his fourth save of the season and seal the 6–3 Braves victory.
With the win, the Braves claimed two of three games from Miami and continued their trend of strong series performances. Atlanta has now won five series this season and split only one — a four-game set in Arizona.
Just as important, Elder’s emergence is giving the Braves stability in a rotation that needed early consistency. If his form continues, Atlanta’s pitching outlook could become even stronger moving forward.
The Marlins return home Friday to open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, with Janson Junk (0–2, 4.32 ERA) scheduled to start.
Atlanta enjoys an off day before traveling to Philadelphia for a three-game series against the Phillies. Martin Pérez (0–1, 3.14 ERA) is expected to rejoin the rotation and face Taijuan Walker (1–2, 7.36 ERA) in the opener.
