**Heartbreaking News: Braves Superstar Announces Departure from Club**
In a shocking turn of events, a top superstar and fan favorite of the Atlanta Braves has announced his decision to leave the club. This unexpected news has left fans and teammates in disbelief, marking the end of an era for the team. The reasons behind his departure are still unfolding, and the impact on the Braves’ future is yet to be fully understood.
**Marcell Ozuna’s Sacrifice Fly Lifts Braves Over Marlins in 5-3 Comeback Victory**
Marcell Ozuna’s tie-breaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning propelled the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night. The Braves, who are leading the NL wild-card race, have now won six of their last seven games.
Reliever Aaron Bummer (3-2) earned the win, taking over from rookie Spencer Schwellenbach, while Joe Jiménez secured his third save of the season. Orlando Arcia had a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a home run, his fourth in six games, extending his career-high hitting streak to 13 games. “It is good to fight back and get an emotional win like that,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker.
The Braves had recently endured a six-game losing streak, and Snitker emphasized the importance of maintaining balance, especially with key players like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies out due to injuries. “I’ve always admired that with this group — how much fun they have competing,” Snitker noted. “They love doing the work, coming early, and really like it when the umpire says ‘play ball.’ Through good, bad, ugly, whatever it is.”
Jonah Bride set the tone with a first-inning home run, but the Braves found themselves trailing 3-2 entering the eighth inning. They rallied with three runs against Miami’s Calvin Faucher (2-3). New addition Jorge Soler hit a game-tying RBI single, bringing in Jarred Kelenic. Austin Riley then doubled, advancing pinch runner Ramón Laureano to third base, setting up Ozuna’s pivotal sacrifice fly. Arcia’s RBI single added an insurance run.
Marlins starter Valente Bellozo, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Jacksonville, pitched five innings, allowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts in his third career start. Despite homers from Jake Burger and Jonah Bride, and a solid 2-for-4 performance with two steals from Xavier Edwards, the Marlins couldn’t hold the lead and have now lost all five games played at Truist Park this season. “When you don’t add on runs, that lineup has the ability to come back,” said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker.
Schwellenbach, making his sixth quality start of the season, allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out 10 without issuing any walks. “The early runs didn’t scare me away from the strike zone, and I’m proud of myself for that,” Schwellenbach said. “Sometimes you start nibbling the second time through the order, and I didn’t do that.”
The Braves’ victory further solidifies their position in the NL wild-card race, demonstrating resilience and teamwork as they continue to navigate injuries and the challenges of the season.