Braves Grab Game One In NLDS With Late Rally

d’Arnaud’s Big Bop in 7th Paves The Way To A Win

The Atlanta Braves scored 6 runs in a 7th inning rally Tuesday to overcome a slim Marlins’ lead on their way to a 9-5 win in the first game of the best-of-five NLDS. The Braves scored a run in the first inning when Ronald Acuna again stung the Marlins as he led off with the long ball. The Marlins came back against Max Fried to craft a 4-1 lead, which the Braves narrowed to 4-3 in the 3rd.

Atlanta reclaimed the lead and broke the game open against the Fish bullpen in the 7th frame. Ozuna singled in Riley with the tying run and d’Arnaud followed with a 3-run bomb to center to take the lead. Swanson added a 2-run shot moments later and Atlanta’s shutdown bullpen did its thing to close out the win. 5 different relievers pitched an inning apiece for Atlanta, yielding only one run by Chris Martin in the 8th. Melancon closed out the Marlins with a perfect 9th inning, striking out 2.

It was the first time all season that Miami did not win a game in which they held the lead after 6 innings. Atlanta’s Fried lasted only 4 innings in a rare show of ineffectiveness. The game featured an element of controversy as Ronald Acuna was again plunked by Miami starting pitcher Alcantara, this time on his 2nd at bat, after his 1st inning homer. It was the 5th time in his young career that Acuna has been tagged by Miami.

Game 2 is today in Houston. Atlanta will again be home team, with rookie righty Ian Anderson facing Miami’s Pablo Lopez at 2pm.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports