MIAMI — Call it a comeback. Call it the Braves’ sixth win in a row. Call it a four-game series sweep. Call it whatever you want, just make sure you thank Atlanta’s young core.
Harris, who was formerly the Braves’ No. 1 prospect before he relinquished that title to Vaughn Grissom, frequently visualizes himself delivering big hits. Not pregame, but during the game, prior to his at-bats. He will visualize himself getting a hit, of various kinds, in different situations.
The center fielder stepped to the plate to lead off the ninth and drove the first pitch he saw deep to left-center field, tying the game 1-1. A few batters later, Grissom emphatically drew an 11-pitch walk. That at-bat might have been the most impressive all afternoon, especially from a player in just his fifth Major League game.
Grissom then jetted his way home from second base to score the go-ahead run on a single from catcher William Contreras before a wild pitch allowed Matt Olson to plate an insurance run.
But the comeback wouldn’t have been possible without Elder, who set Atlanta up for a rally with his seven innings of one-run ball. His 10 strikeouts were more than double his previous career-high four K’s, as the righty tossed 104 pitches and impressed both Braves and Marlins fans alike.