Dominic Smith has proved to be a consequential addition to the Atlanta Braves’ roster, even though he signed with the club only six days before the season opener.
Smith delivered a bases-clearing double with two outs in the eighth inning to help the Braves record a 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.
Atlanta evened its three-game series with visiting Miami heading into the finale on Wednesday night.
It wasn’t the first time that Smith delivered in the clutch. He hit a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning to beat Kansas City on March 28 in his Atlanta debut.
“It’s been a whirlwind ever since I signed with the Braves in spring training,” Smith said. “I signed a little late, but to get the opportunity to join this great group was a dream come true. This team has welcomed me with open arms from day one, and this has been a ride.”
Smith was 3-for-4 with four RBIs on Tuesday, lifting his batting average to .395 with 15 RBIs.
“The biggest thing is just having the confidence pitch-to-pitch,” he said. “It only takes one pitch to get the job done. The biggest thing is just going up there and not trying to do too much.”
The pitching matchup for the series finale will feature a pair of right-handers — Atlanta’s Bryce Elder (1-1, 1.02 ERA) vs. Miami’s Chris Paddack (0-2, 6.14).
Elder will make his fourth start of the season and has not allowed more than two runs in any appearance. In his last outing on Friday, he did not receive a decision after allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings against Cleveland. The Braves won 11-5.
In 10 career starts against the Marlins — his most appearances against any opponent — Elder is 2-4 with a 3.88 ERA. He was 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in two starts against them last season.
Paddack, who signed a one-year, free-agent deal with Miami in February, will make his fourth start of the season. He made his first quality start in his last outing on Friday, when he was charged with two earned runs on seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts in a 2-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
“Chris was great. He really was,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “He really located the bottom of the zone. Just painting down there. “To go six there and keep us right there a 2-0. I thought he used his whole mix really well.”
Paddack has made four career appearances (three starts) against the Braves, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.14 ERA. He made one start against them last season and did not receive a decision.
Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias earned a save on Tuesday. It was his 100th since joining the Braves in 2022. He is 100-for-114 in save situations and joined Craig Kimbrel, John Smoltz, Gene Garber and Mark Wohlers as the only others to reach 100 saves with the Braves.
–Field Level Media
