Standings
1st. Miami Marlins- 7-3
2nd. Atlanta Braves- 11-6
3rd. New York Mets- 7-9
4th. Philadelphia Phillies- 4-6
5th. Washington Nationals- 4-7
Recap
Miami Marlins
The Marins finally got back to action on Tuesday after missing seven games due to their horrendous handling of the COVID-19 protocols. Their return to action featured a 4-0 shutout of the Baltimore Orioles. Starter Pablo Lopez and four Marlins relievers combined to allow just three hits and one walk while striking out 11.
Miami then swept a double header on Wednesday with Baltimore, with final scores of 1-0 and 2-1. Miami’s pitching staff allowed a total of just 7 hits across the two games. Thursday’s finale featured more offense, but the Marlins stayed hot and swept the series with an 8-7 win. Brian Anderson led the way with 3 RBIs and Jonathan Villar led with three hits.
The Fish then opened a weekend series with the Mets where they dropped two of three. Miami won the opener 4-3, powered by a three run home run in the second from Francisco Cervelli.
Upcoming games- Two at Toronto (a.k.a. Buffalo) followed by three at home with the Braves
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta opened the week by dropping the last of their four game set with the Mets at home. The Braves bounced back to take two of three from the Blue Jays at home. Tuesday was a 10-1 blowout, with Austin Riley launching his first home run of the season. Riley’s three run blast came in the 5th, one of two four-run innings for the Braves.
After their Friday game in Philadelphia was rained out, Atlanta won both games of the double header on Sunday. Ronald Acuna Jr. had a huge day, finishing with 5 hits in 9 at bats and 5 RBI’s including three home runs. Freddie Freeman also came alive after entering the series with a .200 average. He finished the doubleheader hitting .276 after collecting six hits and 3 RBI’s and a home run.
Upcoming games- One more in Philadelphia to finish the series followed by two in New York with the Yankees and a three game road trip to Miami
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies roller-coaster schedule continued by splitting a four game series with the Yankees. Zack Wheeler followed his strong debut with another solid showing, going six innings while allowing 3 runs with one unearned in an 11-7 win in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. Hector Neris collected a four out save and J.T. Realmuto hit his third home run of the season in the final game of the series en route to a 5-4 victory and series split.
Philadelphia then started a four game series with the Braves on Saturday after a rain-out forced a doubleheader on Sunday. They dropped both games on Sunday, struggling to produce any offense and, particularly the second game, to get outs from their bullpen. Top prospect Spencer Howard debuted in the second game and was charged with four runs in 4 1/3 innings.
As for the offense, the Phillies managed just 2 runs over the 14 innings of the doubleheader. They collected just 7 hits and finished 0-9 with runners in scoring position.
Upcoming games- Finish off four with Atlanta then three at home against Baltimore and the Mets
New York Mets
The Mets started the week with a win to avoid a four game sweep at that hands of the Braves. New York then split two games with the Nationals. The win came Wednesday in a 3-1 contest. Rick Porcello turned out seven innings and allowed one run while Dominic Smith notched two RBI’s to lead the offense.
New York then came home for three against the Marlins in which they were able to win two of three. J.D. Davis had a huge day on Saturday, knocking in four runs including a three run home run. Rookie Andres Jimenez shined on Sunday’s 4-2 win, going 3-4 and scoring three runs.
Upcoming games- Four at home against the Nats followed by three in Philadelphia
Washington Nationals
The Nats kicked off a light week on Tuesday taking one of two from the Mets at home. The win was a 5-3 showing in which the Nats collected 10 hits, four of which from Howie Kendrick in a 4-4 effort including a home run.
Washington then came home to play their inter-league rivals the Baltimore Orioles.The Nats lost the first two games and were losing Sunday’s finale before rain (and a botched tarp roll-out) led to the game being suspended in the top of the sixth inning. Friday’s loss was an 11-0 blowout where Washington was outhit 19-4. Nats starter Anibal Sanchez gave up 10 hits alone in just 5 1/3 innings.
