Braves secure a 7-1 victory over the Marlins, with Harris and Waldrep spearheading the win, while a female umpire breaks records as she officiates the game for the first time in history.
Marlins Fall to Braves in Sandy Alcantara's Outing, Jen Pawol Makes History
In a thrilling game marked by a historic moment, the Miami Marlins faced the Atlanta Braves, with both teams showcasing some promising rookie talent.
Ryan Gusto, the Marlins' new acquisition from the Astros, made his debut on the mound. Despite a rocky start that saw him give up three runs, Xavier Edwards provided a glimmer of hope with a sixth-inning single that brought in the lone Marlins run.
On the other side, Sandy Alcantara, who has a 6.44 ERA this season, struggled to find his rhythm, resulting in a record of 6-10.
Meanwhile, Erick Fedde, acquired from the Cardinals, had a better outing for the Braves. In his third start for the team, Fedde pitched effectively, improving his record to 3-12 with a 5.32 ERA.
Offensively, the Braves got off to a strong start, with Ozzie Albies and Eli White recording RBIs in the second inning, giving the Braves a 2-0 lead. Michael Harris II continued his impressive form, going 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. The highlight of his performance was a 3-run homer, his 11th of the season.
Drake Baldwin also contributed to the Braves' offense, going 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
In a remarkable turn of events, Jen Pawol, the first female umpire to work a regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game, was in charge of the action. Pawol, who has a background as an art teacher, reached the highest minor league level in 2023 and made her MLB debut during the Marlins-Braves series in Atlanta.
Pawol's performance was commendable, with a 92.72% accuracy rate when calling balls and strikes. Her historic weekend saw her umpiring three games, including working home plate during the final game.
In the second game of the split doubleheader, Sandy Alcantara (6-10, 6.44) will start for the Marlins, while Erick Fedde (3-12, 5.32), acquired from the Cardinals, will take the mound for the Braves.
The series finale will see Jen Pawol working at third base, and behind home plate for a historic moment. Hurston Waldrep, who impressed with six strong innings in his second start this season, will likely be the Marlins' starting pitcher.
The Marlins' disappointing loss to the Braves, despite a promising performance by rookie Ryan Gusto, has raised questions about the effectiveness of Sandy Alcantara, who has struggled with a 6.44 ERA this season. Meanwhile, Major League Baseball (MLB) history was made when Jen Pawol, the first female umpire, officiated a regular-season game, showcasing her skills and precision with an impressive 92.72% accuracy rate.
