
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
The Atlanta Braves secured a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Miami Marlins, maintaining their series win-streak. Dominic Smith played a crucial role in the comeback performance.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: Dominic Smith #8 of the Atlanta Braves hits a double in the third inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on April 13, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Bravesâ series win-streak isnât over yet.
Applying offensive production was the key to this matchup, and thatâs exactly what the team was able to pull off in a clutch performance to win the game 6-5 against the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins capitalized in the beginning, starting off the bat (no pun intended) after Reynaldo LĂłpez went for five innings in his return, but didnât showcase the strong start weâve seen for his past three games. Though accomplishing six total strikeouts, he also gave up five hits, three earned runs, and three walks.
Two very strong starters struggling back-to-back is not what this team needed to set the tone and limit the runs of the bat-happy Marlins. Itâs fair to observe that it wasnât necessarily that the fish were that good, but they took advantage when given the opportunity. Drawing walks and collecting hits when they could paid off and made a difference when it was time to drive in runs to start hot.
Was it possible LĂłpezâs suspension set him back a bit, or was today just an off-day?
Now for the offense, the Braves scored two in the third after an RBI single from Dominic Smith to drive Ozzie Albies in for the first run, and an RBI double from Drake Baldwin to bring in Mauricio DubĂłn for their second. Matt Olson would collect a double of his own soon after to drive in Baldwin, cutting the Marlinsâ lead to a one-run game (5-4).
The eighth inning was where the real action happened. A single from Marlinsâ Otto Lopez put the fish in the lead by two runs (5-3). But, itâs true what they say, especially in the game of baseball, âitâs not over âtil itâs over.â And the Braves are becoming notorious for demonstrating a visual of that saying.
With two outs recorded in the bottom of the eighth, Mike Yastrzemski singled to place Baldwin on third, Ozzie Albies took his base after getting hit by a pitch, and this set the scene with bases loaded and newcomer Dominic Smith to take the plate and get a bases-clearing double to give the Braves the lead (6-5).
After his walk-off homer during his introduction to Braves Country just a few weeks ago, Smith has continued to be an outstanding asset for the team, and with this go-ahead double, his plate discipline and situational awareness, Braves fans are already discussing building a statue in honor of his service.
That wasnât the only big accomplishment the team ended with to extend their series win-streak. Raisel Iglesias entered in the ninth inning to replace Robert Suarez and earned his 100th save in Atlantaâ making him the fifth pitcher in the franchise to achieve this feat.
#Braves Franchise Saves Leaders:
- Craig Kimbrel â 186
- John Smoltz â 154
- Gene Garber â 141
- Mark Wohlers â 112
- Raisel Iglesias â 100 pic.twitter.com/pOqMZOyOa0
â Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 15, 2026
What was that saying we mentioned in the preview? Itâs not how you start, but how you finish that counts. And though running into some struggles in the beginning, the Braves pulled off a satisfying win in the end.
Tomorrow weâll be seeing Bryce Elder taking the mound to close the series out. Letâs hope he continues his favorable efforts with the offense doing the same.
The final score was 6-5 in favor of the Atlanta Braves.
Dominic Smith was a key player in the Braves' comeback victory.
Reynaldo LĂłpez pitched five innings, recording six strikeouts but allowing three earned runs and three walks.
The Braves' victory kept their series win-streak alive.

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