Braves at Marlins
Ichiro Suzuki’s march toward history continues as the Miami Marlins host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday in the finale of a quick two-game series. Suzuki collected two hits in Tuesday’s 3-2 Atlanta victory in 10 innings in the series opener, the 42-year-old moving within 18 hits of becoming the 30th player in major-league history to reach the hallowed 3,000 mark.
But beyond the historical implications, Suzuki’s performance this season – he is hitting .353 in his 16th major-league season – has helped the Marlins overachieve through the first half of the season, Miami starting Tuesday tied for the second National League wild-card spot. Atlanta moved Jace Peterson to the leadoff spot and the second baseman responded Tuesday, going 2-for-5 with a two-run game-tying homer in the eighth and the game-winning RBI-single in the 10th. The Braves have won six of seven meetings with the Marlins this season and extended their season-best winning streak to six, improving to 8-4 in their past 12 games. Miami dropped to 12-20 against NL East competition; the Marlins are 25-14 against non-division competition.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Matt Wisler (3-7, 4.23 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Adam Conley (3-4. 3.94)
Wisler lost four starts in a row as May turned to June and really struggled in his first two outings this month, but held Cincinnati to two runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings Thursday for his first victory since May 20. The 23-year-old made one appearance against the Marlins this season – earning his first career save with a perfect 10th inning April 17. Wisler has received two runs or less of support in half of his 14 starts.
Conley looks to end a six-start winless streak during which he has surrendered three-plus earned runs three times. He went 5 2/3 innings Friday against Colorado, giving up one run on just one hit but walking five in a no-decision. The 26-year-old gave up two runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Braves on May 27, and notably ended April by throwing 7 2/3 no-hit innings against Milwaukee before being removed from the game.
WALK-OFFS
1. Peterson is 12-for-34 with six RBIs in 10 games since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 10.
2. The Marlins have committed just three errors since May 29.
3. The Braves placed OF Mallex Smith on the disabled list Tuesday with a fractured left thumb; Smith is expected to miss at least eight weeks, and Atlanta promoted INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio from Gwinnett.