Quiet bats, sub-par bullpen arms and overall a lackluster performance for the Braves after coming off a big win.
Just like that, the Miami Marlins have snapped the Atlanta Braves’ three-game win streak and put them back at six games under .500.
Was the Mets’ series too good to be true?
There’s still a lengthy stretch left before the All-Star break, but this start to this Miami series sure doesn’t secure the hopes of many Braves fans, who were hoping to witness a back-to-back sweep.
The Braves’ offense was just not geared up today in the first game of this road trip in Miami.
Pitching wasn’t exceptional, but it was an overall solid outing for the 20-year-old rookie Didier Fuentes (5.0 IP/ 6 H/ 4 ER/ 1 BB/ 3 K), making his first-ever Major League start after just one outing in Triple-A.
Thru 4 at Miami, #Braves down 4-1. 20-yr-old Didier Fuentes, ATL prospect in debut, has 34 highest-velo pitches in game, 4-seamers & sinkers 95.5-97.8, one 98.0. Live arm, good life FB, curve/slider impressive. Left some pitches over plate inc. 0-0 curve Ramírez hit for 3-run HR.
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 21, 2025
He pitched with a lot of control, strong velocity and made adjustments after the one bad pitch that resulted in a Marlins’ three-run homer in the bottom of the third by Agustín Ramírez, giving them an early four-run lead against the scoreless Braves.
Ramírez would also go on in the bottom of the seventh to bat in his fourth run of the night to extend a five-game lead (6-1) for the Marlins.
The Braves did finally get a run after an RBI single from Matt Olson in the top of the fourth to drive in Ronald Acuña Jr.
That was the only run they held onto for a majority of the game (four more innings) as the Marlins’ consistent pitching got the best of them throughout the competition.
After Marcell Ozuna was robbed of a homer in the top of the sixth, and was stranded on second after a strikeout to close out the inning from Ozzie Albies, it seemed the Braves would be held to that one run from early in the game.
Austin Riley changed that narrative as he was able to collect a 430-ft solo-shot in the eighth to give the team their second and last run (6-2)
Although the loss, like any, was disappointing, and it seems as if the Braves are playing up to their stronger opponents and down to the latter, it’s not exactly surprising to many fans, as they looked at the pitching matchup and figured it could go either way depending on the bullpen arms and most importantly, the offense that we would get for tonight.
Both showed the opposite of what was displayed before tonight’s game.
Moving forward, two games are remaining in the series to give the Braves a chance to take the overall win and toss this one as a hiccup in their run.
Grant Holmes is taking the mound tomorrow to get the Braves back to where they left off on Thursday night…now they just need the offense to be on the same page.