(7-1) Atlanta Braves at (1-7) Florida Marlins Recap

"MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: Pitcher Kris Medlen #54 of the Atlanta Braves throws against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on April 9, 2013 in Miami, Florida. The Braves defeated the Marlins 3-2. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)"

Entering tonight's game, the Braves brought their four-game winning streak and looked to extend it against the Miami Marlins. Atlanta would begin the second of their three game series without the services of All Star Right Fielder Jason Heyward who would have a day off after his bad start to the season. Heyward is currently holding a surprising (.083) batting average and only had two hits in (24) at bats. The Braves would place pitching sensation Kris Medlen, who looked to win his first game of the 2013 season. Medlen, 27, who made a big run for the Braves with his winning streak in 2012, entered training camp with a few shaky performances and even lost his first start of the season in a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite Medlen's struggles, he is still one of the best pitchers on the Atlanta Braves roster and when  His opponent, Wade Leblanc, was looking to earn his first win of the season as well after his bad opening start in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals back on April 4th. Leblanc also have never earned a career victory against the Atlanta Braves and the match-ups were playing into the hands of the Braves to earn yet another victory to open the 2013 campaign. 

FIRST INNING:

"MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: Evan Gattis #24 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates his two run home run against the Miami Marlins with teammate Juan Francisco #25 at Marlins Park on April 9, 2013 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)"

For the Braves, B.J. Upton opened the inning with a ground-out to earn the first out. Andrelton Simmons, who was in his second game back from injury, earned his first single since the second game of the Phillies series. After Justin Upton struck out swinging, Evan Gattis would put the first runs on the board with a two-run home run to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead and after Dan Uggla singled, Juan Francisco would ground out to end the Braves threat. For the Marlins, outside of a walk that Kris Medlen gave up to Chris Coglan, Miami couldn't generate any offense as Juan Pierre and Placido Polanco would hit fly outs and Giancarlo Stanton would ground out and the inning came to a quick end.

SECOND INNING:

The Braves offense didn't capitalize on a opportunity when they had a chance to bring in a runner from scoring position. After Chris Johnson lined out for the first out of the inning, Reed Johnson, who replaced Heyward in tonight's game would earn a double with only one out; however, Kris Medlen would fly out in foul territory and B.J. Upton would ground out to end the Braves offensive portion. As for the Marlins, they would enter the scoreboard as a result of a B.J Upton error on a routine pop up opportunity as he lost the ball from his glove and Greg Dobbs would get a double. After Donovan Solano singled and advanced Dobbs to third base, Rob Brantly's sacrifice fly would cut the deficit to 2-1 at the end of the inning.

THIRD INNING:

Atlanta didn't reach a base in this inning as they were sent down in a 1-2-3 fashion; however, the Marlins would blow a opportunity in this game. After Wade LeBlanc would ground out, Juan Pierre would single for Miami and even earned a stolen base to place himself in scoring position; however, the Marlins offense couldn't tie the game as Chris Coglan would strike out and Giancarlo Stanton flied out to center field to end the threat and the Braves maintained a 2-1 lead.

FOURTH INNING:

Similar to the second inning the Braves couldn't capitalize with a man on base after Dan Uggla was walked to start the inning; however, the next three batters ( Juan Francisco, Chris Johnson, and Reed Johnson) would fly out, strike out again and fly out to second base to end their chances of advancing any runs. Miami would blow yet another opportunity to tie the game after Placido Polanco doubled, Greg Dobbs grounded out and Polanco was on third base. After Solano would ground out, Rob Brantly walked and their inning ended as Adeiny Hechavarria would ground into a fielders choice and Atlanta maintain a 2-1 lead.

FIFTH INNING:

The Braves had another rough inning offensively as they would only get a single from Simmons, who earned his second hit of the game; however, Kris Medlen would line out, B.J. Upton would strike out and Justin Upton would pop out to end their offensive portion of the inning; however, Kris Medlen would send the Marlins down in a 1-2-3  inning to keep the Braves lead at 2-1.

SIXTH INNING:

Another missed opportunity for Atlanta came in this inning after Evan Gattis would double with no outs but another runner was left in scoring position as Dan Uggla would strike out, Juan Francisco would fly out to left field, and Chris Johnson would strike out again. The Marlins would again go down in a 1-2-3 fashion as the Braves took their 2-1 lead into the next inning.

SEVENTH INNING:

Both the Braves and Marlins didn't make any impact this inning as both teams would go out in a 1-2-3 fashion and Atlanta continued to hold the lead. The only significant changes were Miami pulled starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc for A.J. Ramos and Medlen would finish the game with one earned run, allowed three hits, walked two batters, and struck out a batter.

EIGHTH INNING:

The Braves would finally establish a small cushion to their lead as Andrelton Simmons earned his third hit of the game; however, he would advance to second base as he committed a throwing error. Justin Upton would capitalize on the error with a double to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead. Another missed opportunity came after Justin Upton advanced to third base, the offense couldn't capitalize after Dan Uggla grounded out and Juan Francisco would strike out. Miami trimmed into the lead yet again after Austin Kearns walked, Juan Pierre would make a sacrifice  out to put Kearns to second base, Justin Ruggiano  grounded out to third and Polanco would trim the lead to 3-2 after his single to right field.

NINTH INNING:

In the final inning, the Braves finished their offense for the night with a quick 1-2-3 inning and Craig Kimbrel would finish the Marlins off after surrendering a walk but a double play and a strikeout to Adeiny Hechavarria as the Braves would win 3-2. Kimbrel would earn his fourth save of the 2013 campaign. Kris Medlen would also earn his first win of the campaign.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: 

ANDRELTON SIMMONS/ EVAN GATTIS:

After returning from his injury on Monday Night, Simmons responded with a great outing as he went (3-4) with all of his hits being singles and he would account for two of the three crucial runs that the Braves scored in tonight's victory and if he continues to make an impact like in this contest, it would continue to give Atlanta's offense a big boost. Evan Gattis would also contribute in a huge away going (2-4) tonight and his two-run homer in the first inning was a big difference in why the Braves walked away with a win tonight. Gattis, who is playing his fourth game as a catcher have impressed Braves fans in every one of his games as he's batting a (.333) and earning two home-runs and brought in a total of three runs. He's been very impressive as a rookie catcher and will continue to provide a impact for the Braves until All-Star Brian McCann returns to Atlanta's lineup.