Braves’ sweep ends surprising postseason
After wildly surpassing expectations and stunning the baseball world, the Miami Marlins’ turnaround season came to an abrupt close on Thursday.
Facing the Atlanta Braves in a must-win Game 3 in the National League Divisional Series, Miami mustered just five hits andwas shut out for the second consecutive day, falling 7-0. With the victory, Atlanta swept the best-offive series 3-0 to advance to the National League Championship Series.
TheMarlins, who lost 105 games last season and had18 players miss time early this season due to COVID-19, were one of the most surprising stories in sports after reaching the postseason the first time since 2003.
“I think our guys believed [in the ‘Why not us’ mentality],” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “We did give ourselves an opportunity this year. I think that’s a step froward for us. We didn’t get where we wanted to go, but [I told the players] how proud Iwas of this club.
“I thought the players did a tremendous job. This was the closest group I’ve had as far as a group of guys who fight and feel like they’re united in their stance in where they want to go and that’s really what we talked about [after the game]. I’m really proud of this club and whatthey’ve been able to accomplish.”
In Game 3, Miami fell into for a quick hole versus the NL East champs. Marlins rookie standout Sixto Sanchez, who tossed five shutout innings in a series-clinching win versus the Cubs, was unable to replicate that success.
After escaping from a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the second inning, Sanchez was hammered in the third. The 22-year-old righthander allowed four runs in the decisive frame, courtesy a two-run single from Marcell Ozuna and a two-run double from Travis d’Arnaud.
Sanchez exited after the third inning, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks.
“I thought at first, ‘This cat is going to be lights-out today,” Mattingly said of
Sanchez. “But then in the next inning it seemed like he backed off a little bit and wasn’t as aggressive.
“He just didn’t seem to be aggressive with his changeup and slider.”
The Marlins had no answer for d’Arnaud during the NLDS. The Braves’ catcher dominated Marlins pitching, finishing 6 for 10 with two home runs, two doubles, three walks and seven RBI.
Miami turned to Trevor Rogers in the fourth, but the rookie starter was unable to stop the bleeding. Atlanta tacked on one in the fourth andtwointhe fifth to put the game out of reach. The 22-year-old left-hander lasted 1 2⁄ innings, allowing
3 three runs (two earned) on four hits and onewalk.
On the other side, Kyle Wright stupefied Marlins hitters throughout the contest. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings, scattering three hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
Corey Dickerson was the only Marlins player to have success at the plate. The veteran outfielder finished the day 3 for 4 on the afternoon. Dickerson also contributed an outstanding diving catch in the second inning to rob the Braves of a run.
With the defeat, theMarlins suffered their first playoff series loss in franchise history. Miami had been 7-0 in postseason play, highlighted byWorld Series titles in 1997 and 2003.