MIAMI (AP) - J.T. Realmuto had three hits Friday and wanted one more, even though his team didn’t need it.
Realmuto finished a triple shy of the cycle, but did plenty to help the Miami Marlins break a four-game losing streak by beating the Atlanta Braves 6-3.
No Marlin has ever hit for the cycle in the franchise’s 26 seasons, as Realmuto is well aware.
“I’ve been a triple away like four different times, and a double away once,” he said. “It’s very frustrating. It’s just one of those crazy stats. It’s really tough to get. But, oh well.”
Realmuto doubled and scored in the first inning, homered in the third and singled home a run in the fourth. He grounded out and lined into a double play in his final two at-bats, leaving his average at .325.
“He is, to me, one of the toughest outs in the league,” Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki said. “I mean, the guy’s a good player - really good player.”
Ozzie Albies hit his 12th homer for the Braves, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. They had won eight consecutive road games.
Starlin Castro hit his second homer and drove in two runs for the Marlins, and Miguel Rojas had three of their 14 hits.
Dan Straily (1-0), making his third start after beginning the season on the disabled list, allowed two earned runs in a season-high five innings. He graded the outing a slight improvement from his last start.
“Trending in the right direction,” Straily said. “Still frustrated with a lot of pitches that are just off the mark.”
Four relievers completed a five-hitter. Brad Ziegler, who caught the ceremonial first pitch from Shaquille O’Neal , worked the ninth for his fifth save of the season and the 100th of his career .
Brandon McCarthy (4-2) endured his second rocky outing in a row, allowing six runs and 11 hits in five innings. His ERA rose to 5.58.
“I don’t know how it turned into 11 hits and six runs,” McCarthy said. “I don’t feel like I threw that poorly. I felt like I threw quality pitches. I’m not getting results and pretty confused right now.”
The Marlins’ offensive outburst was especially notable from a team that began the game ranked last in the majors in runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, doubles and home runs. They were outscored 40-11 during their losing streak.
“It was big for us to come out and score early, because we’ve been struggling lately offensively - and with pitching,” Realmuto said.
Albies moved into a tie for the NL lead in homers with his third-inning drive. Teammate Nick Markakis had two hits to hike his average to .345.
MAKING AMENDS
Marlins first baseman Justin Bour helped the Braves score an unearned run when he failed to glove Ender Inciarte’s two-out line drive in the fourth. Straily subsequently walked Ryan Flaherty on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded.
An inning later, Bour made a diving catch to rob Freddie Freeman of an RBI hit.
COMEBACK
Miami manager Don Mattingly returned to the dugout after missing Thursday’s loss because of a death in his family.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves RHP Anibal Sanchez (strained right hamstring) threw a simulated game and could begin a rehab assignment next week.
UP NEXT
Braves rookie RHP Mike Soroka (1-1, 4.50) is scheduled to start Saturday night against Miami LHP Jarlin Garcia (1-1, 2.68).
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