5 THINGS TO KNOW

1. Braves offer evacuees respite

The Braves are offering free tickets to all residents of Florida and those residents of Georgia and South Carolina counties under mandatory evacuation orders who travel to the Atlanta area due to Hurricane Irma. The Braves extended the invitation for the four-game series — against the Marlins, appropriately enough — that began Thursday. Evacuees can go to the ticket office the day of the game, show a valid I.D. and receive a complimentary ticket. C2

2. Braves 6, Marlins 5

Kurt Suzuki capped a two-run rally in the ninth inning when his single drove in Freddie Freeman to lift the Braves over the Marlins at SunTrust Park on Thursday night. Braves rookie left-hander Sean Newcomb allowed three runs, seven hits and three walks in five-plus innings.

Go online for the final report from Thursday’s Braves-Marlins game.

3. Brady bunch kicks off NFL

Seven months after jolting the Falcons 34-28 in the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, the Patriots raised the franchise’s fifth championship banner before Thursday night’s season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. More NFL, C5

Get the final report from Thursday’s game in the AJCePaper, a digital bonus for subscribers.

4. Gators cancel home opener

At least three more college games were affected Thursday by Hurricane Irma’s looming impact. Florida canceled its home opener against Northern Colorado. The game will not be rescheduled. The Bears were due $600,000 to play the game, a fee UF expects game insurance will cover. Last season, Hurricane Matthew forced Florida to cancel an Oct. 8 visit from LSU, a game that was played a month later in Baton Rouge. Also Thursday:

■ New Hampshire at Georgia Southern moved to Birmingham’s Legion Field at 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission will be free.

■ South Florida at UConn canceled. No word on rescheduling.

5. Not so fast, Dodger blue

A few weeks ago, everybody was wondering if the Dodgers could break the major league record of 116 wins in a season. Now they’re looking vulnerable with the playoffs approaching. Los Angeles had lost six in a row and 11 of 12 — its worst skid of the season — going into Thursday night’s series opener against Colorado.