The Miami Marlins walked into LoanDepot Park on Monday night as heavy underdogs against the National League-leading Atlanta Braves. By the end of the night, they had delivered one of the most lopsided wins in franchise history.
Javier Sanoja crushed the first grand slam of his major league career, Joe Mack drove in four runs, and the Marlins dismantled Atlanta 12-0 in the opener of a four-game NL East series. Miami’s offense exploded over two innings while Max Meyer continued what has quietly become one of the strongest starts to the season by any pitcher in the league.
Meyer improved to 4-0 after holding the Braves to just three hits across six shutout innings. The right-hander struck out six and lowered his ERA to 2.85, keeping Atlanta’s dangerous lineup completely out of rhythm. Every time the Braves threatened to build momentum, Meyer shut the door quickly and efficiently.
Miami Bury the Braves in the Middle Innings
The bullpen took over from there. John King, Calvin Faucher, and Lake Bachar combined to allow just one hit over the final three innings, sealing the largest home shutout victory in Marlins history.
Atlanta simply unraveled in the middle innings.
The damage started in the fourth when Miami pushed across five runs. Joe Mack delivered a two-run single after Liam Hicks ripped a two-run double earlier in the inning. Xavier Edwards added an RBI single as Braves starter JR Ritchie struggled to contain Miami’s aggressive approach at the plate.
Facing reliever Aaron Bummer, Sanoja launched a 375-foot grand slam that brought the Miami crowd to its feet. Batting ninth in the lineup, Sanoja became the first Marlins player since Justin Bour in 2016 to hit a grand slam from that spot in the order. The rookie’s first homer of the season highlighted a brutal six-run inning for Atlanta pitching.
One batter later, Xavier Edwards added another blow with a 397-foot solo homer. Bummer was tagged for six runs on three hits while also issuing five walks during a nightmare appearance.
Joe Mack Continues Breakout Performance
Mack continued piling on throughout the game. Along with his two-run single, the rookie catcher added a run-scoring groundout and later drew a bases-loaded walk to finish with four RBIs.
The Braves entered the night with the best record in Major League Baseball at 32-16, but looked completely overmatched. The 12 runs allowed marked a season high, and it was only the third time Atlanta had been shut out this year.
There was at least one positive development for Atlanta before first pitch. Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from the injured list after recovering from a strained left hamstring and was activated ahead of the game.
Scary Moment Delays the Game
The night also included a tense moment in the second inning when home plate umpire Alfonso Márquez was struck by a foul ball off the bat of Mauricio Dubón on a 95 mph sinker from Meyer. Márquez exited the game, causing a roughly 16-minute delay before the remaining three umpires continued the contest.
Atlanta will try to bounce back Tuesday when left-hander Martin Perez takes the mound against Marlins lefty Braxton Garrett in Game 2 of the series.
