by Brady Penn
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (56) delivers against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a home-opening baseball game, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves, after a seemingly endless West Coast road trip to start the season, finally made it home to Truist Park on Friday Night, looking to put an end to the 0-7 skid that had befallen the team in San Diego and LA.
Atlanta saw Spencer Schwellenbach take the mound against the Miami Marlins, who started off with a surprising 4-3 homestand to start the year. The second-year right-hander got off to a fast start, retiring the top of the Marlin lineup in order to begin the series.
After leaving men on base in the first two innings, the Braves struck in the third with a Marcell Ozuna RBI Double to drive in Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies following back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Austin Riley, who spoke on how upset he was with his performance following Wednesday’s loss, drove Ozuna in with a single.
Schwellenbach then mowed down the Marlins to keep momentum on Atlanta’s side, striking out the side in the top half of inning number 4, part of a streak where he retired 4 straight Miami hitters via the K.
Miami did not record a hit, or even register a baserunner until Liam Hicks’ 2 out single in the fifth.
The Braves loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning for new Atlanta Shortstop phenom Nick Allen, but Marlins starter Max Meyer was able to strike him out to alleviate the threat.
Atlanta Braves second base Ozzie Albies (1) hits a single against the Miami Marlins in the eighth inning of a home-opening baseball game, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
After three straight scoreless innings, the Braves got their first pair of back-to-back home runs, with Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson launching consecutive solo shots off of new Marlins pitcher George Soriano.
Schwellenbach concluded his night with a 1-2-3 8th inning, finishing with a line of 8 innings pitched, just 2 hits allowed, and no runs, along with 10 strikeouts. The early year two returns are looking fruitful with back-to-back scoreless outings.
A walk and 5 straight 8th inning singles helped extend the Braves’ lead to 10-0 as they batted around in their final trip to the dish at a packed Truist Park.
After a seven-game stretch where runs, hits, and baserunners as a whole were coming at a premium for the Braves, they unleashed their frustrations on Miami with 12 hits, including 3 hit performances from Harris and Ozuna.
Aaron Bummer finished off the Marlins in the 9th as the Braves finished their first home game of 2025 with a victory. They see the Marlins on Saturday and Sunday before starting a 3-game set with Philly on Tuesday. AJ Smith-Shawver (0-1, 4.50) will get the ball for his second start of the season on Saturday night.
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