The Marlins (53-78) continued to shake off their second-half slump on Saturday night, riding an excellent combined pitching effort to a 3-1 win, their fifth in the past seven contests.
Chen thrived by pounding the outside corner against right-handed batters and getting his opponents to chase fastballs above the zone. Miami nemesis Ronald Acuña Jr. gave him trouble, reaching base in all three matchups and working deep counts in the process...but that’s about it.
Braves manager Brian Snitker made a bizarre decision that was widely second-guessed in real time. As his team threatened with two on and two out in the sixth inning, the game still scoreless, Snitker elected to have Sánchez bat for himself rather than call upon a capable pinch-hitter.