Five takeaways from Marlins’ 5-4 win over Atlanta

The Miami Marlins continue to see-saw from below .500 back to .500 after defeating the National League East leading Atlanta Braves 5-4 in extra innings on Labor Day Monday in Atlanta.

1: Miguel Rojas heroics

Shortstop Miguel Rojas hit the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth on a fly ball to deep right centerfield to score Monte Harrison. He had a four-hit perforce to increase his batting average to .375 on the season.

“Miggy has been like this the last couple of years, just growing and growing,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

2: Extra-inning madness

For the Marlins, this is the second straight game ending in extra innings. On Sunday, the Marlins stuck first in the top half of the 10th inning but blew the lead in the bottom half against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Brandon Kintzler was the losing pitcher in that game and he blew his second consecutive save after giving up the game-tying home run to Braves pinch-hitter Adam Duvall.

It could’ve been worse. After Atlanta loaded the bases on a double by Dansby Swanson and a pair of intentional walks, Kintzler avoid disaster by getting Travis d’Arnaud to ground straight into second base for an inning-ending double play.

After the Marlins retook the lead, Nick Vincent came into the game and earned the save with three quick outs.

3: Urena vs. Acuna

Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena and Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna have always had must-see TV matchups. That’s because it seems like every time, they face off, Urena ends up hitting Acuna.

After Acuna was beaned, warnings were issued by the umpire. Mattingly said those warnings were based off their history. Acuna stole second base but was shortly picked off.

After the game, Urena, who finished his first outing of the season with three earned runs in five innings, explained that in order to get Acuna out, he must attack the inside part of the strike zone.

“For me, that is a weak spot for him and a stronger spot for me,” Urena said. “I can’t give him the inside plate. I have to challenge him.”

4: Marte’s impact on the Marlins

Starling Marte was considered by both local and national media to not only be the best hitter acquired in this year’s trade deadline but the best mid-season acquisition in Marlins history.

His first game ended with him hitting the go-ahead home run. These past two games have shown his added impact on the team. He followed his home run on Sunday with an RBI rouble on Monday. He has a .300 batting average and a .815 OPS this season.

“He solidifies centerfield,” Mattingly said. “He’s gotten big hits for us. The hit today with two outs was huge. He’s been great for us and he’s solidified that one spot for us which allowed me to now do a lot of different things in the corners and knowing that spot in the order is kind of set.”

“Starling’s been huge for us because he brings that energy,” Rojas said. “He’s such a dynamic player that can do a lot of things in the baseball field. I’m really excited about him and hopefully we can have him here for a very long time.”

5: Playoff picture

With the win, the Marlins are 3 1/2 games behind the Braves for first place and and 1 1/2 back of the second-place Phillies in the NL East. This year, the top two teams of each division, followed by two wildcard teams, make the postseason.

The Marlins have been hovering around .500 all year. Miami is 18-18 but 16-9 on the road. After the series in Atlanta, the Marlins return to Miami, where they have not been nearly as successful, and go through the gauntlet of 15 games in 10 days against Philadelphia, Washington and Boston. 

“I feel like there’s a streak in there somewhere for us,” Mattingly said. “I feel like we could get hot and win six of eight.”