MIAMI _ Atlanta manager Brian Snitker's pregame quote said it all: "There's speed, there's power. The guys will take their walks. It's a dangerous first four."
Snitker was talking about the Braves' first four batters in the order _ Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman and Josh Donaldson. They entered Thursday with a combined 101 homers.
However, it was the first four batters in the Marlins' lineup who stole the show on Thursday, combining for eight RBI in Miami's surprising 9-2 win over the leaders of the National League East.
Jon Berti (3 for 5, two RBI), Starlin Castro (homer, double, three RBI), Brian Anderson (two homers, single, three RBI) and Garrett Cooper (double, single) hit in those first four spots for Miami on Thursday.
In addition, Marlins starter Elieser Hernandez (2-4) was brilliant, pitching six scoreless innings and getting his first major-league hit. He allowed two hits and two walks, striking out seven in the best performance of his two-year major-league career.
Miami, which has the worst record in the NL, snapped a six-game losing streak in style, bashing 2015 Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel for a season-worst 10 hits and eight runs.
Atlanta's first four batters combined for just one RBI _ an eighth-inning homer by Acuna, his 30th of the season.
