Thompson earns 1st major league win, Marlins beat Braves 4-2

MIAMI (AP) —

Zach Thompson pitched five scoreless inning and earned his first major league win, leading the Miami Marlins to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Adam Duvall and Lewin Díaz hit solo homers for Miami, which won its third straight overall and second straight over the Braves to claim its first home series against Atlanta since Oct. 1, 2017.

“It’s kind of what we needed after that last trip to be able to come home and play well. It’s important for us to get some momentum,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said of his club’s 1-9 road trip that preceded the current homestand. “Hopefully, we’re able to close these guys out (Sunday). We can’t afford to stop.”

Díaz hit his first major league homer, a pinch-hit shot to start the fifth inning.

Thompson (1-1) started the planned bullpen game and limited Atlanta to three hits, striking out six in a longer-than-expected outing.

“I don’t know if it’s truly hit me yet,” Thompson said. “I’m sure it will shortly.”

The 27-year-old right-hander pumped his fist after his outing-ending strike out of Ronald Acuña in the fifth.

“Acuña is an amazing player,” Thompson said. “Being able to shut them down that last inning was a really important factor for me and I think my emotions showed it.”

In addition to the win, Thompson got his first major league hit when he singled in the second.

Freddie Freeman hit his 15th homer, a two-run shot against reliever Anthony Bass in the eighth, as the Braves lost their fourth straight.

“We’ve got to continue to prepare and play hard, you have to handle it,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ve been through this all year, where we have to handle tough situations and these guys...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Thompson-earns-1st-major-league-win-Marlins-beat-16244017.php