Max Fried threw just three hits in Atlanta’s first nine-inning complete game since 2022. Adam Duvall added a two-run homer as the Braves shut out the Miami Marlins for the second consecutive night, winning 5-0 on Tuesday.
After a shaky start to the season, Fried (2-0) seems to have found his form again. He breezed through the Marlins lineup in just 1 hour, 54 minutes, keeping them scoreless for the second consecutive night.
“I was just focusing on getting back to my usual self,” Fried commented. “Getting ground balls and staying aggressive.”
Fried struggled in his first start, allowing three runs against Philadelphia before being pulled. His next outing against Arizona was equally tough, giving up 10 hits and seven earned runs in just over four innings.
Since then, however, Fried has dominated the Marlins, allowing only one earned run in 15 1/3 innings, significantly reducing his ERA from a staggering 40.50 after his first game.
Manager Brian Snitker expressed confidence in Fried’s ability to go the distance. “I noticed in the seventh inning his pitch count was where it should be in the fifth. I had a feeling he could complete the game,” Snitker said.
Fried’s performance was so strong that no one in the bullpen even began warming up, a stark contrast to his earlier starts where he heavily relied on relievers.
“I owed them one,” Fried joked. He utilized his slider more effectively than in previous games, acknowledging its potency as a pitch he had somewhat overlooked. This tactic paid off as he efficiently dispatched the Marlins with just 92 pitches, 69 of which were strikes.
Fried struck out six batters and issued no walks, marking the fourth complete game in the MLB this season.
Although Fried had a complete game last April against the Mets, it was shortened to five innings due to rain. The last Braves pitcher to go the full nine innings was Bryce Elder in a game against Washington on Sept. 26, 2022.
The Marlins continued to struggle against the Braves, having been shut out 3-0 in the series opener on Monday. With April still ongoing, Miami finds itself 11 1/2 games behind Atlanta in the NL East.
