Stowers Breaks Home Run Drought as Marlins Defeat Braves 5-3

Kyle Stowers launched a solo home run in the second inning, breaking a 31-game drought and helping the Miami Marlins secure a 5-3 victory against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Sandy Alcántara delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings and allowing three runs.

Otto López contributed significantly with two hits and two RBIs, while Xavier Edwards added to the offense with two singles, a double, and an RBI. The Marlins showcased their depth, capitalizing on key moments throughout the game.

Alcántara (4-8) faced six hits, walked two batters, and struck out four during his outing. Notably, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner has completed six innings in three of his last four starts, demonstrating a return to form.

In relief, Anthony Bender pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, while Calvin Faucher secured the final two outs in the eighth. Ronny Henriquez closed the game with a scoreless ninth for his second save of the season.

The Marlins took control in the fifth inning when López and Dane Myers hit run-scoring singles off Braves starter Bryce Elder, pushing Miami ahead 4-2. Elder (2-4) struggled, giving up five runs and ten hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Atlanta initially struck first with Austin Riley's RBI single in the first inning. However, Stowers quickly equalized with his homer, marking his 11th of the season and his first since hitting two against the Chicago Cubs on May 14.

Drake Baldwin's run-scoring single in the third gave Atlanta a brief lead before López's RBI single tied the game again. In the sixth, Edwards extended Miami's lead with another run-scoring single after Alex Verdugo narrowed the gap for Atlanta with an RBI fielder's choice.

With this win, the Marlins concluded a challenging 10-game stretch against NL East opponents with a record of 6-4. They currently stand at 12-12 within their division this season.

Looking ahead, RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (5-4, 3.26) is set to start for the Braves in their upcoming four-game series against the New York Mets on Monday. Meanwhile, the Marlins will kick off a three-game series at San Francisco on Tuesday, with RHP Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.68) taking the mound for the opener.