Atlanta Braves’ Evan Gattis hits a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, April 10, 2013, in Miami. Andrelton Simmons and Jason Heyward scored on the hit.MIAMI – Evan Gattis hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves completed their second consecutive three-game sweep when they beat the reeling Miami Marlins 8-0 Wednesday night.
Mike Minor pitched 5 2-3 innings for the Braves, whose 8-1 record leads the majors. They’re off to their best start since 1994, when they began the season 13-1.
Only three series into the season, Atlanta enjoys a seven-game lead over the Marlins, who have the worst record in the big leagues at 1-8. They’ve scored just 16 runs, and with five consecutive losses they’re off to their worst start since the 1998 team began the season 1-11.
The Marlins kept the game scoreless until the fifth, when Gattis hit his third homer in a six-run inning. The rookie also singled and is batting .391 with a slugging percentage of .826.
Gattis hit six home runs in spring training as a non-roster invitee to earn a spot on the team. The surprising success of the 26-year-old catcher gives the Braves considerable depth at the position, with Brian McCann expected to return from shoulder surgery by the end of April.