Sanoja’s Grand Slam Powers Marlins Past Braves in 12-0 Blowout.

MIAMI — Javier Sanoja delivered the biggest swing of his young career Monday night, crushing a grand slam to help the Miami Marlins overpower the Atlanta Braves 12-0 in the opener of a four-game NL East series. The ninth-place hitter broke the game open in the fifth inning with a 375-foot blast off reliever Aaron Bummer, marking his first home run of the season and first career grand slam. Moments later, Xavier Edwards followed with a solo homer as Miami piled on during a six-run inning that put the game completely out of reach.

The Marlins backed the offensive surge with dominant pitching from Max Meyer, who continued his strong season by holding Atlanta to three hits across six scoreless innings. Meyer struck out six and improved to 4-0 while lowering his ERA to 2.85. Miami’s bullpen kept the pressure on after Meyer exited. John King, Calvin Faucher and Lake Bachar combined to allow just one hit over the final three innings, sealing the largest home shutout victory in franchise history. Atlanta entered the night with the best record in Major League Baseball at 32-16 but never found rhythm offensively. The Braves were shut out for only the third time this season and surrendered a season-high 12 runs, including 11 across the fourth and fifth innings. Joe Mack played a major role in Miami’s offensive breakout, driving in four runs. The rookie catcher opened the scoring with a run-producing groundout in the second inning before adding a two-run single during a five-run fourth inning. He later drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth. Liam Hicks added a two-run double in the fourth, while Edwards contributed both an RBI single and his fifth-inning homer.

Braves starter JR Ritchie lasted four innings, allowing six hits and multiple scoring rallies while falling to 1-1 on the season. Bummer struggled in relief, giving up six runs, issuing five walks and allowing the grand slam to Sanoja. Utility infielder Jorge Mateo was called upon to pitch the eighth inning for Atlanta. The game also featured the return of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., who was activated from the 10-day injured list after recovering from a strained left hamstring. Play was briefly interrupted in the second inning when home plate umpire Alfonso Márquez exited after taking a foul ball off the mask on a 95 mph sinker from Meyer. After a 16-minute delay, the game resumed with a three-man umpiring crew. Atlanta will try to bounce back Tuesday behind left-hander Martin Perez (2-2, 2.25 ERA), while the Marlins are expected to send Braxton Garrett (0-1, 33.75 ERA) to the mound.