Marlins 12, Braves 11
MIAMI -- Jose Fernandez became the first major league pitcher to start his home career with a 17-0 record, surviving a rough first inning to defeat the Atlanta Braves 12-11 on Friday night at Marlins Park.
Fernandez eclipsed the previous 16-0 record set by Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82). But it wasn't easy for Fernandez (6-0), who allowed five hits and four runs in the first inning.
Fortunately for the Marlins (67-87), their offense bailed out Fernandez, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first and three in the third to take their first lead. Miami held on from there -- but barely.
Atlanta, which trailed 12-6 entering the seventh, scored twice in that frame and three times in the eighth. The Braves had the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, trailing 12-11, when rookie reliever Kyle Barraclough came in and struck out shortstop Andrelton Simmons and got center fielder Cameron Maybin to ground out to third.
A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless ninth for his 30th save of the season.
Fernandez needed 35 pitches to get out of the first. He lasted just five innings, throwing 95 pitches and allowing nine hits and six runs. That tied for the most earned runs Fernandez has allowed in his career, which happened last year.
At home, Fernandez had never previously allowed more than three earned runs, and that happened once -- in his first start back from Tommy John surgery earlier this year.
Miami's offense delivered 20 hits, including seven for extra bases. All eight starting position players had at least two hits, and Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis, who started the day batting .143 with just seven RBIs, knocked in four runs in support of Fernandez.
Atlanta opened the scoring when right fielder Nick Markakis pulled a line drive over the fence in right-center field. It was the fourth time in his career that he has led off a game with a homer, and it has happened twice this season.
After just nine pitches, Fernandez had already allowed three hits. That set the Braves up to get RBIs from shortstop Andrelton Simmons (groundout), center fielder Cameron Maybin (single) and third baseman Hector Olivera (sacrifice fly).
Miami came right back in the bottom of the inning as its first five batters got hits, including a game-tying three-run homer by first baseman Justin Bour.
Miami took a 7-4 lead in the third when Mathis drilled a three-run double into the left-field corner.
The Marlins broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning, a rally that was started by left fielder Christian Yelich's leadoff triple. Mathis added an RBI triple as part of the big inning.
Atlanta scored twice in the fifth, getting an RBI double from Simmons and a sacrifice fly by Maybin.
But Miami extended its lead in the bottom of the inning, getting an RBI single from Yelich.
First baseman Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the seventh to cut Atlanta's deficit to 12-8.
In the eighth, Atlanta got a two-run double by left fielder Adonis Garcia and an RBI walk by pinch-hitter Nick Swisher.
NOTES: Braves C Christian Bethancourt (thumb) sat out the game, replaced by A.J. Pierzynski. ... Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is playing despite a right wrist injury. ... The Marlins have shut down RHP Carter Capps (elbow) for the rest of the season. ... 1B Justin Bour's 19 homers are the most by a Marlins rookie since 2010, when OF Giancarlo Stanton hit 22 and 1B Gaby Sanchez hit 19. ... J.T. Realmuto's seventh triple of the season on Thursday set a Marlins record for catchers. It was also the most triples by a major league catcher since Darrell Porter had eight in 1979. ... Braves SS Andrelton Simmons entered Friday leading the majors in turning double plays and ranked second in the National League among the hardest players to strike out. ... The Braves have used an NL-record 60 players this season.