The Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. watches his two-run homer fly over the wall in center field at SunTrust Park during the fifth inning of Wednesday night's game against the Miami Marlins.ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. and Julio Teheran have flourished against the Miami Marlins this season, and on Wednesday night a new teammate joined in to help continue their club's dominance of the series.
Acuña and Adeiny Hechavarría each hit a two-run homer, and Teheran struck out nine batters as Atlanta beat Miami 5-0 despite being held to three hits.
Led by Teheran, the veteran right-hander, and Acuña, the 21-year-old slugger and reigning National League rookie of the year, the Braves are 14-4 against Miami this year after winning the 2018 season series between the NL East foes 14-5. Atlanta leads the division at 76-52 overall this season, with the Marlins in last place at 45-80.
Teheran (8-8) combined with Sean Newcomb and Josh Tomlin for a seven-hit shutout. The 28-year-old Teheran, whose strikeouts total Wednesday set his high for this season, allowed five hits in seven innings. He improved to 3-0 with a 0.28 ERA in five starts against Miami in 2019.
"When you know that you're pitching good against one team, obviously that gives you more confidence," Teheran said. "That's what I had coming into this game."
The Atlanta Braves' Adeiny Hechavarria heads down the first-base line after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning of Wednesday night's 5-0 home win against the Miami Marlins.Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Teheran "has kind of shut us down all year."
"We haven't had any luck with him," Mattingly said. "A guy like that or a situation like that kind of ends up in your head."
Acuña's shot off Caleb Smith (8-7) in the fifth cleared the wall in center field. He has 16 career homers against Miami, including nine this season.
"I think the confidence is always there," Acuña said through a translator when asked about his success against the Marlins. "As long as I'm feeling good and confident I can give my best effort, that's all I try to focus on."
Acuña's team-leading 36th homer of 2019 came one night after he was hit by Elieser Hernandez's first pitch, leading to the ejection of Braves manager Brian Snitker.
The Braves, who had no singles or doubles, have won four straight. The Marlins have dropped five in a row and are 29 1/2 games behind Atlanta in the standings.
Tyler Flowers and Hechavarría provided power from the bottom of the Braves' lineup in the second. Flowers' triple over right fielder Brian Anderson drove in Josh Donaldson, who had walked. Marlins rookie second baseman Isan Díaz dropped the relay throw from Anderson, robbing his team of a possible play on Flowers at third base.
Hechavarría's homer into the seats beyond left field was his sixth of the season and first since signing with Atlanta on Friday after his release from the Mets.
Smith allowed five runs on only three hits and four walks in six innings. Two walks led to runs.
"That basically sums it up right there," he said.
The 28-year-old left-handed pitcher, who bats right, led off the third with a double to left field for the first extra-base hit of his MLB career. Smith, who made his debut in the majors for the New York Yankees in July 2017 and was traded to Miami that November, doubled down the line in right field with one out in the fifth.
Teheran has allowed 12 hits to pitchers this season, most in the majors. However, he rebounded nicely from the shortest start of his MLB career. He lasted only 1 1/3 innings while allowing six runs in a loss to the New York Mets last Thursday.
"I know that I had a rough one," he said, "and I needed to bounce back."
The Marlins allowed a homer for the 22nd consecutive game, extending their dubious team record, and lost despite outhitting Atlanta 7-3. Their 20 losses when having more hits than their opponent are the most in the majors this season.
Before the game, veteran Atlanta catcher Brian McCann was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left knee strain. Snitker said McCann "feels a little better than he thought he might, so that's encouraging." The Braves recalled catcher Alex Jackson from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (foot) will start a rehab assignment with Class A Rome today with a plan to be the designated hitter in his first game, play seven innings in the field his next game and then play a full nine innings. Rookie outfielder Austin Riley (knee) will start his rehab assignment with Rome on Friday.
Atlanta right-hander Mike Soroka (10-2, 2.41 ERA) will try to protect his perfect record against Miami when the Braves and Marlins complete the three-game series Thursday night. Soroka is 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins, who will counter with right-hander Sandy Alcantara (4-11, 4.35).