It’s July 2. The Braves have finally notched their first 7-3 stretch of the season, after defeating the Marlins 1-0 at Truist Park. The victory came as the result of one of the tensest games so far this season, which featured something you’ll probably not see for a while: a starter throwing one pitch, and departing the game. It was secured with a crazy ninth inning, as Will Smith walked the tightrope between despair and elation, but eventually ended up on the happier side of that particular chasm.
Let’s cut to the chase, though, of the biggest story of this game: after Drew Smyly threw a scoreless first frame, Pablo Lopez began (and concluded) his pitching ledger by hitting Ronald Acuña Jr.