Future of Marlins’ ace Jose Fernandez uncertain

“The place was packed”. The Braves’ young players backed the efforts of veterans Nick Markakis and A.J. Pierzynski in the win over the Marlins.

Nick Markakis led the Braves with three hits, including a tie-breaking two-run single in the seventh inning, as he extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Miami has struggled to compete in games where Fernandez has not appeared lately. The Braves have scored 22 runs in their last three games and four or more runs in five of their last seven games. The Marlins have a dynamic offense, leading the league with 255 extra base hits. Ross Detwiler and Andrew Mckirahan picked up holds in the victory.

“Eventually, I’m going to win a game”, Miller said.

After setting down the first 10 Braves, Fernandez faltered in the fourth. Not only did Swisher give the Braves a 5-2 lead with that swing, but he ingratiated himself with the Atlanta faithful when he reached second base and motioned to the dugout with the Tomahawk Chop.

Castro, a rookie filling in for Simmons, a two-time Gold Glove victor, made a diving stop in the sixth inning and threw out Justin Bour from his knees.

“I just come here every day with a positive attitude, and whatever they decide is totally up to them”, Hand told MLB’s official website. “We’re going to work on that tonight”. Pierzynski drove him in with a solid single to center. “We’re not a home run-hitting club, and when you get chances with men in scoring position we have to capitalize on that”.

Even Jose Fernandez couldn’t end the Miami Marlins’ slide. That’s not good. Fernandez looked pretty sharp on Friday night against the Braves, racking up six strikeouts over five innings, but he did leave with a pitch count of just 76. He is questionable for his next start.

Fernandez threw 112 pitches in his previous start when he struck out 10 in six shutout innings against San Diego. The 29-year-old has lost four of his past five outings. following a three-start winning streak, and owns a 5.01 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break.

The downward trend continues as the Marlins fall to the Braves 7-2. Rookie Justin Nicolino (1-1, 4.09) will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans and make his third start as a Marlin. The Marlins are hitting.

Fan favorite Chipper Jones hit two home runs in the alumni softball game and was named MVP as the 1995 World Series champions beat the Braves Legends 9-5 before the game at Turner Field.

Jose Fernandez, shown in a 2014 game.