ATLANTA — A new mix of players for the Miami Marlins are getting to know one another and figuring out how to win together in the process.
Edward Cabrera struck out eight batters in five impressive innings, and Jonah Bride hit a three-run homer as the Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 7-0 on Sunday to split a four-game series between National League East Division clubs at Truist Park.
Cabrera (2-3) allowed just three hits and two walks — it was the first time in 11 starts this season the 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic didn’t give up a run — and three relievers finished the six-hitter for Miami (42-70).
“My mentality is always to attack the zone, and today it was working,” Cabrera said through a translator. “All of my pitches were synchronized and working together.”
Emmanuel Rivera was 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run for the Marlins, while teammate Xavier Edwards extended his on-base streak to 21 games while going 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run.
Atlanta left-hander Max Fried (7-6), pitching for the first time since working an inning in relief for the NL in last month’s MLB All-Star Game, had a disappointing return from the injured list for the Braves. He gave up five runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out six batters but walking a season-high five.
It was Fried’s first start since July 11. He felt discomfort in his forearm prior to his All-Star appearance on July 16 and was placed on the injured list on July 21.
The last-place Marlins improved to 3-2 since a massive selloff at the July 30 trade deadline, when the team was playing a road series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Sunday’s win was Miami’s sixth shutout of the season and first since May 24.
“A lot of these guys are meeting each other for the first time, including myself,” said Skip Schumaker, the reigning NL manager of the year who is in his second season with the Marlins. “For them to put forth this type of effort since that tough day in Tampa Bay just shows you what type of leadership is in that clubhouse. I’m proud of our staff to keep this thing together.”
Austin Riley had three hits for the Braves, and catcher Sean Murphy reached base three times with two walks and a single.
The Braves (60-51) have lost two straight games since winning six of seven, and they have to be hoping they’re not reverting to the struggles that led to a six-game losing streak before that. Atlanta is the six-time reigning NL East champion but is currently second in the division, six games behind the league-leading Philadelphia Phillies (66-45).
Philadelphia snapped a six-game losing streak Sunday with a 6-0 win to avoid being swept in a three-game road series with the Seattle Mariners.
Atlanta is tied with the NL West’s San Diego Padres atop the league’s wild-card standings.
“A lot of games to play. A lot can happen before now and when it ends,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “Today was ugly, but there’s a lot of time to do a lot of good.”
Bride’s home run, his third this season and second of the series, capped a six-run fourth inning for the Marlins. Edwards and Cristian Pache each had an RBI single in the inning before Luke Jackson replaced Fried and gave up Bride’s home run into the visitors’ bullpen in left field.
Bride has been moved to the middle of the batting order since the roster shakeup.
“I’m trying to get the ball in the air,” he said. “Definitely trying to flip the switch and be more aggressive.”
Jake Burger added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Atlanta had a run taken off the board in the third on a successful replay challenge by Miami. Jorge Soler tried to score from first on a double by Riley and was initially ruled safe on a close play at the plate, but the call was overturned and the game remained scoreless.
To make room for Fried, the Braves sent left-hander Dylan Lee to Triple-A Gwinnett before the game.
On the injury front, right-hander Reynaldo López remains on the active roster, but the All-Star pitcher is not scheduled to start in Atlanta’s upcoming three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers and has not pitched since leaving a July 28 game with forearm tightness.
Atlanta is off Monday before starting its three-game set with the Brewers. The probable starting pitchers for Tuesday’s opener are Atlanta left-hander Chris Sale (13-3, 2.71 ERA) and Milwaukee right-hander Colin Rea (9-3, 3.59).