After a forgettable 10-0 loss on Friday night, the Miami Marlins bounced back in a big way on Saturday — and first baseman Matt Mervis led the charge.
Mervis launched his first two home runs of the season in his first career multi-homer game, as the Marlins blanked the Atlanta Braves 4-0 at Truist Park to even the series. His two-run homer in the first inning set the tone early, and his solo shot in the seventh capped the scoring as Miami’s pitching staff held Atlanta in check from start to finish.
It was a much-needed response from the Marlins, who were thoroughly outplayed the night before. Saturday, they flipped the script.
Miami starter Cal Quantrill (1-1) delivered a sharp outing, going five scoreless innings while allowing just four hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out four, keeping the Braves off balance and setting the tone for a dominant night by the Marlins’ pitching staff.
In total, Miami pitchers recorded 11 strikeouts and held the Braves to an 0-for-9 mark with runners in scoring position — a stark contrast to Friday, when Atlanta tallied seven hits in those situations.
All eyes were on Mervis, who provided all the offense Miami would need. His first-inning homer left the bat at 106.5 mph and put Miami up 2-0 early. In the seventh, he added another — this time at 104.2 mph — giving the Marlins a four-run cushion.
Miami made consistent hard contact all night, racking up 12 batted balls with an exit velocity of 95+ mph, including six over 100 mph. Five of those resulted in base hits.
Atlanta had a chance to make things interesting in the bottom of the eighth when Stuart Fairchild led off with a triple off Anthony Veneziano. But that rally quickly fizzled. Veneziano struck out Michael Harris II, and after being relieved by Calvin Faucher, Faucher induced a groundout from Ozzie Albies and then struck out Marcell Ozuna to strand Fairchild at third.
Braves rookie starter AJ Smith-Shawver (0-2) struggled for the second straight outing, giving up three earned runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out six, but couldn’t keep the Marlins’ bats quiet.
The Marlins (looking to win their first series in Atlanta since April 22-24, 2022) will send right-hander Sandy Alcantara (1-0) to the mound in Sunday’s series finale. He’ll be opposed by Braves righty Grant Holmes (0-1).
