The Atlanta Braves continued their dominant run atop the National League on Wednesday night, powering past the Miami Marlins 9-1 behind timely home runs from Austin Riley and Dominic Smith and another strong outing from ace Chris Sale.
Sale delivered seven impressive innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight to improve to 7-3 on the season. The reigning 2024 Cy Young Award winner bounced back after dropping his previous two starts and earned his first career victory against Miami after entering the night 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA in three prior appearances versus the Marlins.
Miami grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after Xavier Edwards drew a leadoff walk and later scored on Heriberto Hernández’s sacrifice fly. But Sale quickly settled in, shutting down the Marlins lineup the rest of the way and not allowing a hit over his final three innings.
Atlanta answered in the bottom of the first when Riley crushed a first-pitch sweeper from Miami starter Janson Junk 415 feet for a three-run homer, giving the Braves a 3-1 advantage. The blast snapped Riley’s early-series slump after the third baseman had opened the matchup 0 for 8.
Junk regrouped to retire 11 consecutive hitters following Riley’s homer, but the Braves broke through again in the sixth. Ronald Acuña Jr. started the inning with a single before consecutive hits from Michael Harris II, Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies extended Atlanta’s lead to 5-1.
Smith delivered the knockout blow later in the game, hammering a three-run homer to center field after an exhausting 12-pitch at-bat. The 389-foot drive put the contest out of reach and highlighted a productive night for the Braves offense. Smith later tripled in the eighth inning and scored on a throwing error by Esteury Ruiz.
Albies and Harris each collected two singles, while Acuña added a hit as Atlanta continued its torrid offensive pace.
Junk fell to 2-5 after allowing eight hits and five runs over five innings while striking out three.
The Braves also welcomed back pinch-hitter Eli White, who returned from concussion protocol Wednesday and doubled in the ninth inning against position player Javier Sanoja.
Atlanta will look to complete the series sweep Thursday when Spencer Strider (1-0, 2.45 ERA) takes the mound against Miami ace Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.53 ERA).
