Braves Erupt in 7th Inning, Thump Marlins in Game 1

After defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card Series, the Atlanta Braves entered Tuesday's NLDS contest poised to defy history.

In recent weeks, there has been much talk of the Miami (Florida) Marlins' impressive playoff history.

Despite 2020 serving as their third postseason appearance, the franchise has never lost a playoff series in its 28-year history -- winning two World Series titles and posting an overall series record of 7-0.

Although Ronald Acuna Jr. went deep in Atlanta's first at-bat of Game 1 on Tuesday, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Miami.

Miguel Rojas knotted the score with a home run in the second inning -- and in the third, the Marlins tacked on three additional runs, courtesy of RBIs from Garrett Cooper and Brian Anderson.

The Braves managed to cut into their deficit in the bottom of the third with a pair of RBI doubles from Marcell Ozuna and Travis d'Arnaud.

However, Marlins' starter Sandy Alcantara helped his team maintain its 4-3 advantage until the bottom of the seventh, when the Braves did irreparable damage.

After Atlanta led off the inning with back-to-back singles, Miami replaced Alcantara with Yimi Garcia.

Although Garcia managed to record the first out of the inning, the Braves quickly capitalized on another RBI from Marcell Ozuna to tie the score at four runs apiece.

And then, Travis d'Arnaud launched a three-run shot to center field to give Atlanta a 7-4 lead -- d'Arnaud went 3-for-3 with a pair of walks in Tuesday's contest, driving in four runs throughout the afternoon.


Following d'Arnaud's three-run shot, James Hoyt was called upon to replace Garcia.

This move was countered by Dansby Swanson, who drove a two-run blast to make it 9-4 Braves.

Oftentimes, a six-running inning can be insurmountable -- and Atlanta's bullpen made it so, despite allowing Miami to scratch across a run in the eighth.

In fact, much of the Braves' success in Tuesday's 9-5 victory may be credited to their bullpen.

Though starter Max Fried didn't have an impressive outing, he was picked up by the likes of Darren O'Day, Tyler Matzek (who struck out the side in his inning of work), and Will Smith.

Without a strong bullpen performance to carry Atlanta through the middle innings, their offensive explosion in the seventh may have been in vain.

Nonetheless, the Braves are now two victories away from their first NLCS appearance since 2001.

Game 2 of this best-of-5 series will be played at 2:08 PM EDT on Wednesday.

Atlanta will send dynamic rookie Ian Anderson to the mound.

Miami counters with Pablo Lopez, who picked up a win in his September 24 start against the Braves.


What are your thoughts on the Braves' postseason odds?

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