Braves rally but lose to Fernandez and Marlins, 12-11

The Miami Marlins needed every run they could get in their 12-11 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday at Marlins Park.

Fernandez eclipsed the previous 16-0 record set by Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82).

Fernandez labored to complete five innings, allowing six runs and nine hits, to extend his career record at Marlins Park to 17-0. It was the fourth time in his career that he has led off a game with a homer, and it has happened twice this season.

But the bows belonged to his supporting cast as the Marlins pounded out 20 hits, seven for extra bases. Freeman walked to load the bases in the eighth before Swisher’s walk closed the lead to a run.

It was Bour’s three-run homer off Ryan Weber in the first that got the ball rolling for the Marlins. Bour, with 20 homers, ranks third among rookies in the majors, and has the most by a Marlins rookie since Giancarlo Stanton hit 22 in 2010. Justin Bour and Christian Yelich each fell one big hit short of the milestone.

Fernandez gave up a homer to Nick Markakis to start the game and allowed four runs in a 35-pitch first inning. “He brings something to this team that nobody can explain”. But it wasn’t easy for Fernandez (6-0), who allowed five hits and four runs in the first inning.

After trying to get back on the mound for the Marlins, reliever Carter Capps said he finally “ran out of time” and will not pitch again this season. All three of them would score – on a fielder’s choice, RBI-single by former Marlin Cameron Maybin and a sacrifice fly. First baseman Freddie Freeman, who came off the bench and contributed a two-run double and a three-run homer in the series finale against the Mets, is expected to return to the lineup after not starting Wednesday due to a sore right wrist.

But the Marlins had to survive a late-inning scare and owed their 12-11 victory over the Braves not so much to Fernandez as they did to a hitting onslaught that preserved his flawless home mark. Despite the poor outing, Fernandez stayed in long enough for the win and is now 6-0 this season. In total, the two teams used 14 pitchers (seven each) to navigate the nine innings, and it wasn’t the best advertisement for quality pitching. Michael Bourn and Hector Olivera also had three hits tonight. His fielders bailed him out of that jam as Derek Dietrich made a sliding catch on a liner to left and Martin Prado reached into the stands for a foul pop.