*Photo from NBC Sports*
Atlanta leads series 2-0
Atlanta Braves rookie pitcher Ian Anderson had just one playoff start under his belt entering game two. In that start, he silenced the mighty lineup of the Cincinnati Reds. In this start, he silenced the slighty less mighty lineup of the Miami Marlins. Anderson dazzled on the mound, Dansby Swanson homered, and the Braves shut out the Marlins 2-0 to take a 2-0 series lead and put the Marlins on the brink of elimination.
The Braves got the scoring going in the second inning, when Swanson mashed a solo homer to center field, making it 1-0 Braves early on. In the 4th inning, Travis D'Arnaud continued to rake, sending a solo homer over the left field wall convincingly, making it 2-0 Braves, capping off the scoring.
Anderson pitched 5 2/3 innings in his second playoff start, getting the win for the Braves. Anderson didn't allow any runs, and only allowed 4 baserunners, on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 8 Marlins hitters. Mark Melancon shut down the Marlins in the 9th for the save. Darren O'Day finished the 6th for Anderson, getting the one out needed. Tyler Matzek then came on and threw a scoreless 7th, and Will Smith threw a scoreless 8th.
Manager Brian Snitker said of Anderson that "It doesn't seem like the moment ever matters to him, he just keeps pitching and trusting his stuff." D'Arnaud added that "He's just always been like that. It's something that should be noticed and put out there." Despite what they think, Anderson himself said that "I definitely had more nerves today, I don't know if was the different site and seeing all the playoff stuff around the stadium or what, but I was able to calm down and get in the groove of the game."
Marlins outfielder Corey Dickerson got tied up on the bases, killing a potential rally. Jon Berti hit a slicing liner to Braves RF Nick Markakis, that he fielded on one hop. Dickerson, waiting to see if Markakis caught it, was thrown out at second on the force play. Manager Don Mattingly said that "Corey's in a tough spot there, and that ball just kind of bounced right up to Markakis, that's just a tough read in a tough situation."
Pablo Lopez got the start for the Marlins, getting tagged with the loss. Lopez allowed two runs on 3 hits, striking out 7 hitters. Lopez pitched an effective game, his only hiccups were the two homers to Swanson and D'Arnaud. Richard Bleier, Brad Boxberger, and Brandon Kintzler all pitched in relief of Lopez, all throwing scoreless innings.
Mattingly discussed Lopez's performance after the game, saying that "Pablo was really good, with a lot of guys, and these guys have a lot of good hitters, you miss your spots and sometimes you can get away with it, and sometimes you don't."
The series continues on Thursday, where Kyle Wright starts for Atlanta as they try to finish off the Marlins. Sixto Sanchez starts for the Marlins as they try to force a game 4.
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