Carter Capps Has One Of The Oddest Pitching Motions You Will Ever See [VIDEO]
CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — A ninth-inning rally against Braves closer Jason Grilli fell short, leaving the Miami Marlins looking for new ways to explain another loss.
Matt Latos threw three strong innings before fading after a rain delay and the Marlins, unable to recover from Atlanta's two-run fifth, lost to the Braves 3-2 on Monday night in a game slowed by two rain delays.
The Marlins lost their sixth in seven games.
"We're going through a funk as a team, and we've got to dig deep and figure out a way to get something going," said Marlins manager Mike Redmond.
Before the game, the Marlins placed opening-day starter Henderson Alvarez on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder and elbow.
"It's definitely a concern anytime you have one of your star pitchers go down and have something sore," Redmond said.
Grilli gave up a double to Martin Prado to open the ninth before striking out Michael Morse and Marcell Ozuna. After walking Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Grilli gave up a run-scoring single to Adeiny Hechavarria. Grilli struck out Jeff Baker on a called third strike to earn his fourth save.
Latos allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and three walks in four-plus innings. It was an improvement from his first start, when he gave up seven runs in only two-thirds of an inning in a 12-2 loss to the Braves.
Latos said it's too early in the season for the Marlins to panic.
"This is a marathon," Latos said. "We're not going to win anything in April or May. It's a long season. It'll turn around. We've got great guys. We've got great talent."
A single by pinch-hitter Jace Peterson and double by Eric Young Jr. knocked Latos (0-2) out of the game in the fifth. Callaspo hit Sam Dyson's first pitch to center field to drive in Peterson for a 2-1 lead. Nick Markakis followed with another run-scoring single.
Shelby Miller (1-0) allowed one run in five innings as the Braves bounced back from their first loss.
The start of the game was delayed 52 minutes by rain. There was another delay of 39 minutes in the middle of the fourth.
After walking Dee Gordon, Jim Johnson struck out Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton to end the eighth.
Stanton, who was 0 for 4, is hitting .130 with no homers.
Marlins right-hander David Phelps was placed on the paternity list after his wife gave birth. He is expected to rejoin the team on Thursday and replace Alvarez in the rotation on Friday.
GLOVE WORK
Yelich took a run-scoring hit away from Cameron Maybin in the second. With runners on first and second, Yelich made a leaping catch of Maybin's line drive in left field and held the ball as he tumbled onto the warning track. A video review confirmed the catch.
WALKS NOT ALLOWED
Before the game, the Braves designated right-hander Juan Jaime for assignment and selected the contract of right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon from Triple-A Gwinnett. Jaime walked four while getting four outs in his first two games.
Gonzalez said the move was made because "you need somebody in the game who throws strikes."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Backup catcher Jeff Mathis and reserve infielder Don Kelly landed on the 15-day DL. Each broke the ring finger on his right hand in Sunday's game. ... Right-hander Jose Urena was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to replace Phelps. Also coming up from New Orleans were catcher J.T. Realmuto, infielder Reid Brignac and right-hander Carter Capps, who pitched the eighth inning.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Tom Koehler will look for his first win against Atlanta on Tuesday night. Koehler is 0-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 10 games, including seven starts, against the Braves.
Braves: RHP Trevor Cahill, acquired from Arizona on April 3, will make his Braves debut. The Braves need Cahill to provide depth and stability to a rotation that has lost Mike Minor indefinitely with a sore shoulder.
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