Bullpen scuffles late in loss to pesky Braves

MIAMI -- A patient, pesky approach by the Braves once again chipped away at the Marlins' bullpen late.
In the eighth inning, the Braves forced a combined 52 pitches from Drew Steckenrider and Junichi Tazawa. The end result was Tyler Flowers and Johan Camargo each drawing bases-loaded walks that brought home the decisive runs in the Marlins' 10-5 loss to the Braves on Saturday night at Marlins Park.
For insurance, the Braves scored three more times in the ninth, with Ender Inciarte connecting on a two-run homer off Tyler Cloyd.
"They have a good-hitting ballclub over there," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "Freddie [Freeman], we're having trouble getting him out any time. But he's not the only one. They've got a bunch of guys you've got to work through over there."

Twice in three games, the Braves were able to do damage against Steckenrider, who was charged with both eighth-inning runs. The hard-throwing right-hander recorded one out, while allowing a single and three walks, plus a strikeout on 36 pitches.
"I feel like they've had a good approach the entire series," Steckenrider said. "I've got to do something to throw some timing off. I've got to change something up."
The showdown that swung the inning in Atlanta's favor came with one out and runners on first and second, when Steckenrider faced Inciarte, who drew a 13-pitch walk after fouling off six straight pitches with the count at 3-1. The free pass loaded the bases, and Steckenrider followed that up by walking Flowers on eight pitches. Tazawa entered and did the same to Camargo on seven pitches.
"I'm just trying to keep making pitches and they kept fouling stuff off," Steckenrider said. "I wasn't able to make the pitches when I need them."

Entering the series, Steckenrider had a strikeouts-to-walks ratio of 7.7. On Thursday, Atlanta got the righty for six runs in one-third of an inning in a 9-2 win.
The long ball also hurt the Marlins all night, with Jarlín García surrendering two to Freeman and a solo shot to José Bautista.
"I think with Jarlin, we're seeing the league making adjustments at this point," Mattingly said. "You're looking for certain things in locations."

Garcia entered his latest start having allowed one run in 18 innings at Marlins Park, but the left-hander gave up three homers and five runs (four earned) in six innings. In his last two outings, the lefty has permitted 11 earned runs in 10 innings, after he yielded two runs in his first 23 frames as a starter.
"They're an aggressive team, and they also know that I'm out there trying to throw early strikes and keep the ball down in the zone," Garcia said.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Brian Anderson is becoming a quick study in right field. On Friday, Anderson appeared in just his 13th game at the position, converting from third base to make room for Martín Prado. In the ninth inning, Anderson showcased his arm by throwing out Freeman as he tried to advance from first to third on Nick Markakis' single.
Anderson credits working with third-base/outfield coach Fredi Gonzalez on technique.
"We're just working on footwork and getting behind the ball," Anderson said. "Taking the same throwing action I have in the infield, not changing anything, and trying to keep the ball as straight and true as possible. I finally got a chance to let it eat there."
According to Statcast™, Anderson's throw was tracked at 96.3 mph, making it the second-hardest assist by a Marlins outfielder since Statcast™ launched in 2015. Giancarlo Stanton had an assist at 96.5 mph. It also was the third-hardest throw tracked by Statcast™ by a Marlins' outfielder: Stanton recorded the hardest throw, 97.4 mph, on a non-assist.

CASTRO BANGED UP
Second baseman Starlin Castro appeared to tweak something in his last at-bat in the ninth inning. Mattingly said Castro has been dealing with some aches and pains. There's a chance he could get a day off on Sunday.
HE SAID IT
"I thought it had a chance. Really, here you don't take anything for granted. I knew I had one RBI there. Just happy with my swing and approach there, honestly." -- Anderson, on his RBI double in the first inning that was about a foot away from being a three-run homer. Statcast™ projected the drive at 408 feet, with an exit speed of 110.5 mph.

UP NEXT
José Ureña will make his ninth start at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday in the series finale with the Braves, seeking his first win. Atlanta will counter with Sean Newcomb. According to Inside Edge, Urena has thrown his slider 53.4 percent of the time in at-bats versus right-handed batters over the last 14 days.