The Marlins are starting to reap some benefits from several of their highly publicized trades three years ago.

Monte Harrison blasted his first MLB home run and Daniel Castano yielded one run in six-plus innings on Saturday. But the game came down to Adam Duvall’s home run off the left-field foul pole in the ninth inning off veteran Brandon Kintzler, and the Braves held on for a 2-1 victory at Marlins Park.

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The clubs have split the first two games of the series, with the finale set for Sunday afternoon. The final score may not have gone Miami’s way, but the game was a step forward for a few of its prospects.

“It was just a good game. We got a well-pitched game,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “I think we take that kind of outing from [Castano], feeling that you're going to be able to find a way to score. You give up one run through eight, you feel kind of good that you're going to have some kind of lead going into the later innings.”

Harrison, Miami’s No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, unloaded on a home run off Will Smith in the eighth inning. The drive to right-center traveled 403 feet with an exit velocity of 103.5 mph, per Statcast.

The moment was special for Harrison in many ways, foremost because it came on his grandmother’s birthday. Otherwise, the rookie outfielder was more concerned about the final outcome.

“We didn't win the game,” Harrison said. “I'd rather go out there and line out and have the next two guys behind me hit home runs, and we win the game. I would have been perfectly fine. As long as we win games, I don't care about it. I want to make the playoffs. I want to show people that this team can actually play and we can compete. We're going to go out there tomorrow and hopefully get a W.”

Harrison has mainly drawn starts against left-handers this season. The past few times when he has not been in the lineup, he reflected on what got him to the big leagues in the first place. In nine big league games, he’s hitting .150 with 11 strikeouts.

“At the beginning of this big league career, I've been very passive and very timid,” Harrison said. “That's not who I am.

“I took a step back and actually told myself, 'What do you do best?' That's being in attack mode. Attacking the pitcher, making him throw strikes, and when I do get my pitch to hit, don't miss it. That's how I went into the game tonight, no matter who was on the mound.”

Harrison’s homer pulled Miami even at 1, but in the ninth inning, Duvall launched a towering drive to left that clanked off the pole, putting the Braves in front.

Castano, meanwhile, made his second big league start. The 25-year-old kept the Braves off the board until Marcell Ozuna homered to open the seventh inning. Castano was acquired by the Marlins from the Cardinals during the 2017 Winter Meetings for Ozuna. The Marlins also acquired Sandy Alcantara, Magneuris Sierra and Zac Gallen in the deal.

“I'm very happy to be part of this team,” Castano said. “[Pitching coach] Mel [Stottlemyre] and I worked hard this week to make some big adjustments, to keep the ball down. Do some things with my glove. [Catcher Francisco] Cervelli was working with me through the game, almost teaching me, and working through the game a little differently, a little more to my strengths. I'm trying to attack the hitters a little differently.”

Harrison was acquired by the Marlins from the Brewers in January 2018 as part of the Christian Yelich trade. Miami also received Lewis Brinson, Isan Díaz and Jordan Yamamoto in the trade. Brinson had a double and a single Saturday for his first hits of 2020.

First baseman Lewin Díaz, the Marlins' No. 8 prospect, roped a pinch-hit two-out single in the ninth inning in his MLB debut. The 23-year-old was recalled as Corey Dickerson was placed on the bereavement list.