Braves (2-0) bomb Latos in first, rout Marlins
MIAMI (AP) The Atlanta Braves scored seven runs in the first inning off Mat Latos and beat the Miami Marlins for the second day in a row to start the season, 12-2 on Tuesday night.
Latos, acquired from Cincinnati in the offseason, lasted only two-thirds of an inning in the shortest outing of his career. He was booed as he left the game, his first for his hometown team, and departed with an ERA of 94.50.
It was the shortest outing by a starting pitcher in his Marlins debut, according to STATS. Latos (0-1) failed to record a strikeout for the first time in 154 career starts.
The Braves’ big inning included RBI doubles by Freddie Freeman, Christian Bethancourt and Chris Johnson, and a two-run single by Andrelton Simmons.
Freeman, who batted .135 against Miami last year, and Simmons each had three of the Braves’ 14 hits. New outfielder Cameron Maybin added a two-run single in the ninth.
Atlanta went 9 for 16 with runners in scoring position.
The offensive outburst was a big change for the Braves, and a big surprise. They ranked next-to-last in the majors in runs in 2014 and lost Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis during the offseason.
So far, they’ve hardly looked like a rebuilding team. Alex Wood (1-0) allowed two runs in five innings, and three relievers completed a five-hitter for the Braves, who have given up three runs in two games.
Cody Martin pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four in his major league debut.
For the second game in a row, the Marlins gave their fans little to cheer about. Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s $325 million slugger, walked three times and doesn’t have a home run.
Michael Morse went 0 for 4 behind him with three strikeouts.
For the second consecutive game, Miami loaded the bases with none out and failed to score. Wood escaped in the first when Martin Prado hit into an inning-ending double play.
At least it didn’t rain. The retractable roof at Marlins Park was closed in the aftermath of a gaffe on opening day, when showers caught officials by surprise and forced a 16-minute delay.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: RHP Aaron Crow is scheduled to have season-ending Tommy John surgery Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Maybin, Jonny Gomes and A.J. Pierzynski will be in the Braves’ starting lineup for the first time Wednesday against Miami, manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Maybin will be in center field and might lead off.
RHP Shelby Miller (10-9, 3.74 ERA in 2014 with the Cardinals) is scheduled to start against Marlins RHP Tom Koehler (10-10, 3.81).
”This is a team we’re going to play a lot,” Koehler said, ”so you want to set the tone early.”
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