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Source: FanGraphs
Attendance: 34,439
Hero of the Game: No one
Goat of the Game: Adeiny Hechavarria (-0.145 WPA)
Play of the Game: Justin Upton hit a solo home run in the sixth inning (-0.131 WPA).
The Miami Marlins struggled once again on offense, and in a repeat of the first two games of the regular season, their pitching staff kept the game just close enough to leave Marlins fans some hope. But just like in those first two games, the Marlins' offense fell short; this time, the Atlanta Braves handled the Marlins 2-0.
The Fish mustered just two hits and four walks the entire game. The offensive output was a prime example of the expectations heading into the season; the Marlins drew four walks, but three of them were to Giancarlo Stanton, the most dangerous hitter on the team. Stanton went along with his early season struggles when he was not walked, as his lone other plate appearance ended in yet another strikeout.
The rest of the Marlins offense did the team no favors either, as the team only managed to get a baserunner to second base three times throughout the game. Paul Maholm of the Braves handled the Fish to the tune of seven strikeouts versus just three walks in seven shutout innings, and Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel took care of the rest. Kimbrel ran into some late-inning trouble, as he allowed a runner to third base on a walk and a base hit, but he eventually shut the door and secured the Braves' win.
Justin Upton demolished Kevin Slowey and the Marlins on the other end. He collected four hits, including a solo home run that served as a clincher for the Braves.
Slowey performed fine the rest of the way, striking out three and walking none in seven innings. Slowey was the first Marlins starter to even reach seven innings in 2013.
The Fish will continue this series tomorrow versus the Braves at home. The Marlins are hoping the Fish draw a similar attendance count tomorrow, as the team unexpectedly drew 34,000 fans, thanks in part to a series of discounted deals offered in the last few weeks.