Miami Marlins Index: Braves Edge Marlins as Latos Struggles

Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich (21) makes a catch on a line drive hit by Atlanta Braves center fielder Cameron Maybin (25) (not pictured) during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

After a 1-5 opening home stand, the Miami Marlins traveled to Atlanta to start a 3-game series against the Braves. After two rain delays, the Braves edged the Marlins for a 3-2 victory in another poor outing for Mat Latos.

With Henderson Alvarez headed to the Disabled List, the Miami Marlins needed a strong start from Mat Latos. After a 52-minute rain delay, Latos’ first inning could not have gone any better. He retired the Braves in 1-2-3 order, even collecting his first strikeout of the season, a far cry from his 7 runs in 2/3’s of an inning last Tuesday.

Christian Yelich made a remarkable catch in the second inning, potentially saving two runs and then collected a run scoring ground out in the top of the 3rd inning to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead.

A second rain delay stopped the game after the third inning.

Play resumed after a 39-minute rain delay, with the Marlins sticking with Latos in the bottom of the fourth inning, despite the delay. After the delay, Latos got a well hit fly ball out, allowed a single, allowed a stolen base, walked a batter and threw a wild pitch that allowed the game to get tied. Salty threw out Andrelton Simmons and Latos struck out Cameron Maybin to end the inning, one which could have been much worse.

The Braves finally broke through on Latos in the 5th inning, as after a single and a really well hit double, manager Mike Redmond took the ball from Latos in favor of Sam Dyson. Dyson allowed back-to-back singles to allow the Braves to build a 3-1 lead, but was able to work out of a bases loaded, one out jam to avoid allowing the Braves to blow the game open.

In the ninth inning, the Miami Marlins were able to mount a comeback, but ultimately fell short. Martin Prado led the inning off with a double, before Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Marcell Ozuna struck out behind him. Adeiny Hechavarria lined a single to make it a one-run game before Jeff Baker struck out to end the game.

Here are the game grades for the Marlins today.

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