Thanks for joining me today everyone!!! The recap of this game will be posted shortly!!!
WP: Julio Teheran (1-0) LP: Henderson Alvarez (0-1) SV: Jason Grilli (1)
Atlanta Braves defeat the Miami Marlins 2-1!!!
Bot 9th (2 Outs)- Martin Prado lines out to second base to end the game.
Bot 9th (1 Out)- Jason Grilli backs that up with another strike out, this time it was Mike Morse.
Bot 9th (0 Outs)- Jason Grilli strikes out Giancarlo Stanton to start things off in the ninth.
Braves new closer Jason Grilli will replace Jim Johnson in the ninth as he looks to close out the game.
Due up for Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton, Mike Morse, and Martin Prado
MIDDLE OF 9TH INNING
Top 9th (2 Outs)- Andrelton Simmons ends the inning as he grounded into a fielders choice, Callaspo out at second base.
Top 9th (2 Outs)- Alberto Callaspo stops the streak of six-straight strikeouts for the Braves offense, as he walked with two outs in the inning.
Top 9th (1 Out)- Cameron Maybin strikes out in his first at-bat as an Atlanta Brave. He was acquired yesterday in the Craig Kimbrel trade.
Top 9th (0 Outs)- Christian Bethancourt strikes out swinging to start the top of the ninth.
Due up for Braves: Christian Bethancourt, Cameron Maybin, and Alberto Callaspo
END OF 8TH INNING
Bot 8th (2 Outs)- Jim Johnson strikes out Christian Yelich to end the eighth inning.
Bot 8th (1 Out)- Dee Gordon makes the second out of the inning on a bunt attempt. Gordon made the perfect bunt and would have gotten a hit, but he fell face first as he started to run down the line. Big break for the Braves
Bot 8th (0 Outs)- Ichiro grounded out to first base in his first at-bat as a Miami Marlin
Ichiro Suzuki will pinch hit for pitcher Mike Dunn
Due up for Marlins: Mike Dunn, Dee Gordon, and Christian Yelich
MIDDLE OF 8TH INNING
Mike Dunn comes into the game and strikes out the side for the Marlins!!!
Top 8th (2 Outs)- Freddie Freeman struck out looking to end the inning.
Top 8th (1 Out)- Nick Markakis struck out looking. 2 outs.
Top 8th (0 Outs)- New Marlins pitcher, left-hander Mike Dunn, was able to strike out Jace Peterson to start the inning.
Due up for the Braves: Jace Peterson, Nick Markakis, and Freddie Freeman
END OF 7TH INNING
The Marlins had the bases loaded with nobody out, but the Braves bullpen put out the fire without allowing a run.
Bot 7th (2 Outs)- Jim Johnson gets Adeiny Hechavarria to pop out in foul territory to end the inning.
Runners at 2nd and 3rd, two outs. Luis Avilan will be replaced by right-hander Jim Johnson
Bot 7th (0 Outs)- Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds into a double play. Alberto Callaspo gets the runner at home and Christian Bethancourt makes the throw to first. Huge play by the Braves!!!
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez gets Julio Teheran out of the game and replaces him with left-hander Luis Avilan
Bot 7th (0 Outs)- Marcell Ozuna loads the bases with another Marlins single
Bot 7th (0 Outs) Martin Prado follows with a single of his own. Runners at 1st and 2nd, nobody out.
Bot 7th (0 Outs)- Mike Morse leads off the inning with a single
Cameron Maybin replaces Kelly Johnson and will be playing center field for the Braves. Eric Young Jr. will move to left field.
Due up for Marlins: Mike Morse, Martin Prado, and Marcell Ozuna
MIDDLE OF 7TH INNING
Top 7th (2 Outs)- Henderson Alvarez strikes out Eric Young Jr. to end the Braves threat in the inning
Top 7th (2 Outs)- Julio Teheran helps himself with a single over the second baseman. Runners at 1st and 2nd, 2 outs.
Top 7th (1 Out)- Andrelton Simmons hits a long fly ball to right field for the second out.
Top 7th (1 Out)- Alberto Callaspo fights off a two-strike pitch and gets rewarded with a looping single to left field.
Top 7th (0 Outs)- Kelly Johnson hits a hard line drive to center field but Marcell Ozuna made a nice over the shoulder catch to record the out
Due up for Braves: Kelly Johnson, Alberto Callaspo, and Andrelton Simmons
END OF 6TH INNING
Bot 6th (2 Outs)- Giancarlo Stanton pops out to second base on the first pitch to end the inning.
Bot 6th (2 Outs)- Christian Yelich walks with two outs in the inning
Bot 6th (1 Out)- Dee Gordon flies out to left field on a full count after he was ahead 3-0. 2 outs.
Bot 6th (0 Outs)- Henderson Alvarez pops out to the shortstop
Due up for Marlins: Henderson Alvarez, Dee Gordon, and Christian Yelich
MIDDLE OF 6TH INNING
Top 6th (2 Outs)- Christian Bethancourt grounds out to shortstop to end the inning.
Top 6th (1 Out)- Freddie Freeman strikes out but Nick Markakis stole 2nd base on the whiff by Freeman.
Top 6th (1 Out)- Nick Markakis hits a ground ball to the drawn in infield, but Eric Young Jr. beats the tag and scores to give the Braves a 2-1 lead
Top 6th (0 Outs)- Jace Peterson lays down the perfect bunt to move Young Jr. to third.
Top 6th (0 Outs)- Eric Young Jr. leads off the inning with a double.
END OF 5TH INNING
Bot 5th (1 Out)- Adeiny Hechavarria grounds into an inning ending double play. Andrelton Simmons makes the tough play up the middle, flips to Peterson, and Peterson makes the bare hand catch and throws him out to first.
Bot 5th (o Outs)- Jarrod Saltalamacchia strikes out looking as Teheran paints the outside corner with a fastball
Bot 5th (0 Outs)- Marcell Ozuna leads off the fifth inning with a swinging bunt down the third base line. Nice pitch by Teheran, just perfectly placed
Due up for Marlins: Marcell Ozuna, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Adeiny Hechavarria
MIDDLE OF 5TH INNING
Top 5th (2 Outs)- Julio Teheran grounds out to third base for the final out. Another 1-2-3 inning for Henderson Alvarez. He has thrown only 48 pitches through five innings
Top 5th (1 Out)- Andrelton Simmons gets jammed and hits dribbler to second base for the second out.
Top 5th (0 Outs)- Christian Yelich makes a nice catch as he glided to foul territory to get Alberto Callaspo for the first out
Due up for Braves: Alberto Callaspo, Andrelton Simmons, and Julio Teheran
END OF 4TH INNING
Bot 4th (2 Outs)- Martin Prado hits a single past the third baseman, but Kelly Johnson got the throw in quickly and was able to get Stanton out at third base to end the inning
Bot 4th (1 Out)- Mike Morse hits a soft fly ball to center field for the second out of the inning
Bot 4th (1 Out)- Giancarlo Stanton hits a lazer to shortstop, but Andrelton Simmons couldn't make the play as it got under him. It was a hard play to make, hit very hard.
Bot 4th (0 Outs)- Christian Yelich grounds out to second base for the first out
Due up for Marlins: Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Mike Morse
MIDDLE OF 4TH INNING
Top 4th (2 Outs)- Kelly Johnson continues the theme and grounds out to second base to end the inning
Top 4th (1 Out)- Christian Bethancourt grounds out to third base. Freeman moved to second
Top 4th (1 Out)- Freddie Freeman works a full count and singles up the middle. 1 on 1 out
Top 4th (0 Outs)- Nick Markakis grounds out to first base. That is the eighth time the Braves have grounded out in this game already
Due up for Braves: Nick Markakis, Freddie Freeman, Christian Bethancourt
END OF 3RD INNING
Bot 3rd (2 Outs)- Dee Gordon is caught stealing second base as Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt makes a nice throw to get him. 3 outs
Bot 3rd (2 Outs)- Dee Gordon makes Teheran pay for giving up a hit to the pitcher as he singles home the Marlins first run to tie the game at one.
Bot 3rd (2 Outs)- The first hit of the game for the Marlins is a double by the pitcher Henderson Alvarez, only in baseball!
Bot 3rd (1 Out)- Adeiny Hechavarria grounds out to third base.
Bot 3rd (0 Outs)- Julio Teheran strikes out Jarrod Saltalamacchia for the first out
Due up for Marlins: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Adeiny Hechavarria, and Henderson Alvarez
MIDDLE OF 3RD INNING
Top 3rd (2 Outs)- Another ground ball out for Alvarez, this time it's Jace Peterson
Top 3rd (1 Out)- Eric Young Jr. grounds out to first base, Henderson Alvarez covers the bag for the out.
Top 3rd (0 Outs)- Julio Teheran grounded out to third base
Due up for Braves: Julio Teheran, Eric Young Jr., Jace Peterson
END OF 2ND INNING
Bot 2nd (2 Out)- Marcell Ozuna grounds out to third to end the inning. Six up six down for Braves pitcher Julio Teheran
Bot 2nd (1 Out)- Martin Prado grounds out to the pitcher for the second out
We are back!!!
Stay patient. I will be giving updates as to when the game will get started again!
It seems the Marlins were not prepared for Opening Day if it rained in Florida with their roof open
It will be about 15 minutes until the roof closes and they are trying to dry up the wet infield as they don't have a tarp...This could take some time
In the middle of Martin Prado's at-bat, homeplate umpire Jeff Nelson had to call a rain delay as heavy rain started and the Marlins did close the roof
Bot 2nd (0 Outs)- Mike Morse strikes out on a high fastball
Due up for Marlins: Mike Morse, Martin Prado, and Marcell Ozuna
MIDDLE OF 2ND INNING
Top 2nd (2 Outs)- Andrelton Simmons grounds out to shortstop on first pitch. Easy inning for Alvarez as he forced quick outs with his sinker
Top 2nd (1 Out)- Alberto Callaspo hits a lazy fly ball to center field. 2 outs.
Top 2nd (0 Outs)- Kelly Johnson flies out to center field for the first out of the inning
Due up for Braves: Kelly Johnson, Alberto Callaspo, and Andrelton Simmons
END OF 1ST INNING
Bot 1st (2 Outs)- Julio Teheran blows a 94 MPH fastball by Giancarlo Stanton for the strike out on the 3-2 pitch! 1-2-3 inning for Teheran and the Braves
Bot 1st (1 Out)- Christian Yelich grounds out to Andrelton Simmons on a 3-1 count. 2 outs.
Bot 1st (0 Outs)- Dee Gordon flies out to center field for the first out.
Due up for the Marlins in the bottom of the 1st: Dee Gordon, Christian Yelich, and Giancarlo Stanton
MIDDLE OF 1ST INNING
Top 1st (2 Outs)- Christian Bethancourt grounds out sharply to third base for the final out of the inning. 1-0 Braves after the top of the 1st.
Top 1st (1 Out)- Freddie Freeman hits a weak chopper to first base for the second out, Nick Markakis advances to second base
Top 1st (1 Out)- Nick Markakis gets his first hit as a Brave, and it's an RBI single to give the Braves a 1-0 lead!!!
Henderson Alvarez balked and Peterson will go to second
Top 1st (1 Out)- On the second pitch of the at-bat, Jace Peterson lines a single up the middle for the Braves first hit
Top 1st (0 Outs)- Eric Young Jr. grounds out to second base for the first out of the game.
Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez has finished his warmup pitches and is ready to go!!!
Due up for the Braves in the top of the 1st inning will be Eric Young Jr., Jace Peterson, and Nick Markakis
Managers have exchanged lineup cards. Opening Day 2015 for the Braves and Marlins is getting ready to start!!!
Five minutes till first pitch from Marlins Park in Miami, Florida!
We are about 30 minutes away from first pitch between the Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins!!!
Atlanta Braves Opening Day lineup: 1. (CF) Eric Young Jr. 2. (2B) Jace Peterson 3. (RF) Nick Markakis 4. (1B) Freddie Freeman 5. (C) Christian Bethancourt 6. (LF) Kelly Johnson 7. (3B) Alberto Callaspo 8. (SS) Andrelton Simmons 9. (SP) Julio Teheran
Miami Marlins Opening Day lineup: 1. (2B) Dee Gordon 2. (LF) Christian Yelich 3. (RF) Giancarlo Stanton 4. (1B) Mike Morse 5. (3B) Martin Prado 6. (CF) Marcell Ozuna 7. (C) Jarrod Saltalamacchia 8. (SS) Adeiny Hechavarria 9. (SP) Henderson Alvarez
The most recent trade Braves president of baseball operations John Hart made was the trade of Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. This happened yesterday, a day before Opening Day, which sent shockwaves through Braves Country. To be able to get rid Upton the Braves had to part with the best closer in the game, Craig Kimbrel. In return Atlanta received Cameron Maybin, Carlos Quentin, two top minor league prospects, and a first-round draft pick for this year. It’s not sexy for the Braves, but it does rid them of around $80 million in salary and they only took on about $27 million.
Atlanta went the other direction as they traded former All-Stars to upgrade their minor league pipeline. Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and most recently Melvin Upton Jr. and Craig Kimbrel are all former Atlanta Braves. Each one of these blockbuster deals gave the Braves a boat load of minor league talent and payroll flexibility.
Miami really upgraded their everyday lineup as they acquired the likes of speedy second baseman Dee Gordon, power hitting first baseman Mike Morse, and utility player Martin Prado who will be their everyday third baseman. Another significant move that shows the Marlins desire to win was the acquisition of former Cincinnati Reds starter Matt Latos.
Both teams made a flurry of off-season’s transactions as they look to dethrone the Washington Nationals. However, one team has placed themselves in contention, while the other is in the midst of a rebuilding effort.
Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond had this to say about his Opening Day starter, “He brings a lot to the table. He brings a flare, an excitement. It’s really a perfect fit for Opening Day.”
In 30 starts, Alvarez compiled a record of 12-7 with an ERA of 2.65, which led the Marlins starting staff. Alvarez isn’t much of a strikeout pitcher as he struck out only 111 batters in 187 innings pitched. He throws a heavy sinker which led to quick outs, which helped him throw three complete game shutouts.
Henderson Alvarez is making his first career Opening Day start, and the way he performed last season he surely earned it. Just like the aforementioned Teheran, the 24-year old right-hander had a career year in his second season with the Miami Marlins. Alvarez also made his first All-Star team last season for the National League.
Julio Teheran had this to say to about make back-to-back starts on Opening Day, “It’s something I’ve been working for, and it’s paid off. That is a place you want to be and you don’t want anybody to take it from you. … That’s the place I want to be the rest of my career.” Teheran is in elite company for a Braves starter to pitch in back-to-back Opening Day’s: Pat Jarvis, Phil Niekro, Rick Mahler, Greg Maddux, and Derek Lowe.
It was a career year for Teheran as he finished the 2014 season with a record of 14-13 with an ERA of 2.89. He ended up throwing a career-high 221 innings, while striking out 186 batters. Teheran also threw four complete games and two shutouts, and was named to his first All-Star team last season.
This will be the second-straight Opening Day start for Braves ace Julio Teheran. The 24-year old has taken the reigns as the clear cut ace for Atlanta, and will look to continue that trend today as they head to Miami to play game 1-of-162.
Two NL East division foes, Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins, will face each other on Opening Day Monday, April 06, 2015 at 4:10 PM EST. Both teams will be sending two young stubs to the mound in Braves right-hander Julio Teheran and Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez.
Good afternoon everybody! My name is Parker White and thanks for joining VAVEL USA’s Live coverage of Opening Day between the Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins. Continue to watch Live coverage of Opening Day here at VAVEL.