Aug 9, 2025: Atlanta Braves beat Miami Marlins 7–1 as Michael Harris II belts a 3-run HR and rookie Hurston Waldrep shines. Jen Pawol makes MLB history.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Braves fans got a little bit of everything in Saturday’s doubleheader opener: star turns, a rookie on the rise, and a watershed moment for the sport. Michael Harris II drove in three — punctuated by a seventh-inning, three-run homer — while rookie Hurston Waldrep carved up the Marlins over six innings in a 7–1 win at Truist Park. And as the Braves pulled away, Jen Pawol made history as the first female umpire to work a Major League game, manning first base in a performance that felt as steady as the team she officiated.
“Harris’ three-run blast (No. 11) and Waldrep’s six strong put the Braves on cruise control — on a day MLB welcomed its first female umpire.”
This one started with pressure early and exclamation points late. Ozzie Albies and Eli White set the tone with second-inning RBIs before Michael Harris II took over, going 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs. His seventh-inning three-run shot — homer No. 11 on the season — turned a tight game into a stress-free stroll. Drake Baldwin chipped in two hits and two RBIs, a welcome reminder of the depth the Braves are cultivating around the core. The underlying story here: Harris has been searching for that game-changing swing more consistently, and when he’s lining balls gap-to-gap, everything else in this lineup cascades. Today, it did.
For a club navigating rotation turnover, Waldrep’s six efficient frames were exactly what the day demanded. The rookie allowed one run on four hits, striking out six against just one walk. The poise stood out as much as the stuff — he worked ahead, expanded when he could, and trusted his defense, especially after a couple of loud outs. Days like this accelerate trust from the staff and clubhouse, and they matter even more in a doubleheader, where length from your first starter can set up the whole day.
Momentum hinged on leather, too. Jurickson Profar stole a sure home run with a highlight-reel grab in the fourth, robbing Agustín Ramírez and preserving Waldrep’s groove. In games that can swing on one mistake, snagging extra-base hits out of the air is the kind of subtle separator that lets the offense breathe and the pitching plan stay intact.
Baseball got bigger today. Jen Pawol, working first base, became the first female umpire in Major League Baseball history. The moment resonated throughout Truist Park — a routine day for players, a landmark day for the game. Pawol’s poised debut continues this weekend: she’s slated for third base in tonight’s nightcap and home plate for the series finale. For a sport steeped in tradition, this is progress you can see, and Braves fans were there for it.
Atlanta turns to Erick Fedde in Game 2, his third start since arriving from St. Louis. The right-hander’s game is built on sequencing and soft contact — work ahead, change eye levels, and let the defense work. Against Sandy Alcantara, the Braves will need disciplined at-bats and traffic to force the ace into the stretch. Key for Fedde: first-pitch strikes and keeping the ball on the ground to navigate Miami’s right-handed thump. Key for the lineup: attack mistakes early in counts and keep the line moving for the big swing that cracked Game 1 open.
With Austin Riley on the injured list, the Braves recalled No. 3 prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. on August 4. Expect Alvarez to see meaningful run at third base. The ask: steady defense and competitive at-bats while the middle of the order carries the thunder. For a club with October aspirations, every rep matters — and this is an opportunity for Alvarez to plant a flag and help stabilize the infield until Riley returns.
The system isn’t suddenly deep, but it is trending up after the 2025 MLB Draft. Three newcomers jumped into the organizational top 10, with first-rounder Tate Southisene the headliner. Fourth-round pick Dixon Williams is already off and running in Low-A and making an early impression. On the flip side, Didier Fuentes’ learning curve in the bigs was steep — a 13.85 ERA and 9.10 FIP across four starts — and he’s back at Triple-A to reset. Development isn’t linear, and the Braves’ job is to turn today’s bruises into tomorrow’s depth.
The opener checked a lot of boxes: timely power, rotation stability, crisp defense, and a franchise that got to witness a historic first on its own field. Now comes the hard part — backing it up against Sandy Alcantara in the nightcap and carrying the momentum through the series finale, where Jen Pawol will take the plate. If Harris keeps stinging the ball and Waldrep’s growth continues, the Braves’ patchwork August could start to look a lot more like September certainty.
