Minor Rebounds As Bourn, Prado, And Heyward Lead Braves In 8-2 Rout Of Marlins

Mike Minor rebounded in a big way tonight as the Braves bats came alive again to throttle the Marlins 8-2. Michael Bourn, Martin Prado, and Jason Heyward combined for all 8 Braves RBIs, and Andrelton Simmons turned in several gorgeous web gems (get used to hearing that) to back Minor and help the Braves complete the sweep.

Minor rebounded from his ugly previous starts to go 5 innings of 1 run baseball. He was wild, walking 5 over those 5 innings, but managed to limit the damage by getting 4 strikeouts. Minor's only run came in the fifth when he allowed a leadoff home run to Jose Reyes. The gopherball has really bitten Minor this year, but he was able to battle back and get out of the inning without further damage.

The Marlins' only lead of the series wouldn't last long, however. In the top of the 6th, the Braves got some two out magic working, as Michael Bourn singled up the middle on a full count. Martin Prado then lined a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall into the Marlins' bullpen for a two run homer, putting Minor in line for the win.

Atlanta added on in the 7th, when Jason Heyward got full extension on a fastball that was out over the plate and absolutely demolished it to dead center field. It was a true no-doubter, and probably rivaled Uggla's blast off the home run sculpture from the series opener. The Braves tacked on another in the 8th, when Martin Prado singled home Andrelton Simmons, who had walked to lead off the inning.

The Marlins got one back in the 8th when Giancarlo Stanton lead off the inning with a homer off Eric O'Flaherty. That would be the last the Marlins would score. In the top of the 9th, Jason Heyward decided he wasn't done, and rocketed another ball into the cheap seats for his second home run of the game, making it 5-2. After Eric Hinske drew a walk and Andrelton Simmons singled, Michael Bourn hit a line drive homer into the Braves bullpen, closing the scoring at 8-2. Christhian Martinez worked the 9th for Atlanta.

Andrelton Simmons, in addition to going 2-3, also turned a ridiculous double play in the 7th inning, ranging to his right and throwing from a sit to start the double. He also had a gorgeous over the shoulder basket catch in shallow left-center field in the bottom of the 9th.

On the series, Braves starting pitching only allowed 2 runs over 20.1 innings of work. Braves starters also had 3 RBI in the series, meaning they accounted for more runs with the bats than they allowed on the hill. Now that's awesome. Atlanta heads back to the Ted tomorrow to open a 3 game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. Brandon Beachy will take the hill against Kyle Drabek at 7:35.

Braves MVPs:

• Jason Heyward: 2-4, 2 HR (7,8)
• Michael Bourn: 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (6)
• Martin Prado: 2-5, HR(4), 3 RBI
• Andrelton Simmons: 2-3, R, several stellar defensive plays