Marlins manager Don Mattingly went a little out of his comfort zone on Thursday in a crucial 4-2 win over the Braves at Truist Park.

With the Braves threatening in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs off Brad Boxberger, Mattingly went to his closer, Brandon Kintzler.

“Obviously, I don’t like doing that,” Mattingly said. “It was a game that we felt that we had a good chance to win. We wanted to be able to use our back-end guys. It obviously was a big win for us.”

The veteran right-hander, who hadn’t thrown since Sunday, went above and beyond and locked down his first career six-out save. Kintzler minimized the damage in the eighth, allowing a two-run single to Dansby Swanson. Then he polished off the ninth for his 11th save of the season, and the 60th of his career.

Kintzler threw 29 pitches, with 20 strikes.

Because he was used on Thursday, the question became if he would be available on Friday. Kintzler responded by getting DJ LeMahieu to bounce into a game-ending double play in the 10th inning in the Marlins’ 4-3 victory over the Yankees to clinch the organization’s first playoff berth since 2003.

Kintzler has shown the ability to escape difficult jams. He did it in Atlanta, getting six outs, and even laughed to himself after striking out Adam Duvall in the eighth inning.

“I’ve learned you can’t make the situation bigger than it is,” Kintzler said. “We all know it’s a big situation. Yesterday in the bullpen, I joked that I was going to strike out Duvall with a slider, and then it happened. I said I was going to celebrate that, too. I was just laughing.”

Even on Friday, with the bases full and LeMahieu at the plate, Kintzler was confident he could execute a pitch.

“You just have to have fun with the situation, otherwise you get too stressed out,” he said. “You can’t make pitches if you’re too stressed out. I trust my stuff. I always know I’m one pitch away from [getting out of] any jam.”

In this shortened 60-game season, Mattingly has juggled how to use his ‘pen. He’s managed with more urgency, but also is mindful not to burn out his best late-inning options.

That’s why he’s shied away from some of his more reliable relievers in games the team was down two to four runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

“I can’t chase every [game] when we’re down four runs, using the back end of my bullpen, hoping we score or whatever,” Mattingly said. “It’s not the seventh game. It’s not the last game. You can’t chase every game with the guys you want to be available in there.”

Now that the Marlins have clinched a playoff spot, Mattingly can rest his primary relievers in the next two games.

Remembering José Fernández
On Friday, Mattingly had a photo sent to him by his wife, Lori, that brought back emotional memories.

It was a picture of Mattingly with the late José Fernández.

Friday marks the fourth anniversary of Fernández’s death in a boating accident.

The legacy of the two-time All-Star and 2013 National League Rookie of the Year Award winner remains on the minds of Marlins fans, as well as those who knew him.

Mattingly actually has paid tribute to Fernández by incorporating his No. 16 into some of his daily routines.

“I’ve got a bracelet I’ve worn ever since with his number on it,” Mattingly said. “I never really take it off. I’ve changed my exercise programs to, instead of 15 reps, to 16 reps for his number.

“... It’s an emotional day, when you think back about José and what he meant."