Freeman's 2 homers, 4 RBIs carry Braves past Marlins 5-1

Freddie Freeman homered twice and drove in four runs, Dallas Keuchel kept working out of trouble and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Freeman sent one went the opposite way into the Marlins bullpen against Elieser Hernandez in the fourth. The next inning, the Braves slugger went deep again with two outs to break a 1-1 tie, launching a pitch from Tyler Kinley (1-1) into the right-field seats for his 33rd homer of the season and second multi-homer game of the homestand.

The third Miami pitcher, Austin Brice, didn't fare any better against Freeman, giving up a two-run single in the seventh.

Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman watches his home run ball sail toward left field during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Freeman now has 102 RBIs — the second 100-RBI season of his career. He had 109 in 2013.

Keuchel (4-5) went six innings, limiting the Marlins to Jon Berti's third-inning homer. The left-hander benefited from a pair of double plays and stranded six runners — four of them in scoring position. His last pitch was a high fastball that fanned Jorge Alfaro with runners at first and third.

Hernandez plunked Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. in the back with his very first pitch of the game, rekindling tensions between the NL East rivals and leading to the ejection of Braves manager Brian Snitker.

Atlanta Braves' Dallas Keuchel pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Last season, Jose Ureña was suspended after he drilled Acuña with a pitch on the left elbow. In May, then-Braves pitcher Kevin Gausman was kicked out for throwing behind Ureña in the Miami pitcher's first appearance against the Braves since the incident with Acuña.

Acuña lingered in front of home plate, staring down Hernandez, before being ushered slowly to first. When home-plate umpire Alan Porter warned both teams against further retaliation, Snitker popped out of the dugout and was given the heave by crew chief Mark Wegner.

Hernandez struck another hitter in the fourth, getting Adeiny Hechavarria on the left elbow, but the umpires took no action. Acting Braves manager Walt Weiss emerged from the dugout and could be seen asking Porter, "What did you give the warning for?"

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker argues with umpire Mark Wegner, left, after being ejected from a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in the first inning, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. Ronald Acuna Jr. had been hit with a pitch during the previous play. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Hernandez was lifted after four innings because of a blister on his right middle finger. He allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five during a 68-pitch outing.

TRAINERS'S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Pablo Lopez (shoulder strain) is set to throw a rehab start at Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday, which could be one of his final tuneups before a return to the big leagues. Lopez (5-5, 4.23 ERA) last pitched for the Marlins on June 15. ... Hernandez was listed as day to day.

Miami Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper dives to first base before forcing out Atlanta Braves' Adeiny Hechavarria during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Braves: C Brian McCann left the game after the third inning because of left knee soreness. ... OF Austin Riley (knee) worked out on the field before the game and may be able to begin a rehab stint in the minors by the weekend. ... SS Dansby Swanson (foot) is set to take batting practice and run the bases before Wednesday's game, though the team still isn't sure when he'll be able to get into a game.

UP NEXT

Braves RHP Julio Teheran will look to bounce back from the shortest start of his career when he goes Wednesday in the second of three games between the teams. Teheran (7-8, 3.71 ERA) lasted just 1 1/3 innings against the New York Mets last Thursday, surrendering six runs, eight hits and three walks. The Marlins will go with LHP Caleb Smith (8-6, 3.63), who is 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA in four career starts vs. Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Dallas Keuchel stands on the mound after getting his 1000th career strikeout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, with Elieser Hernandez batting, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

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Miami Marlins' Jon Berti is congratulated by Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly, right, as he enters the dugout after a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Miami Marlins' Elieser Hernandez pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. stands at first base after being hit by a pitch thrown by Miami Marlins' Elieser Hernandez during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Atlanta Braves outfielder Billy Hamilton stands in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. Hamilton was recently acquired from the Kansas City Royals. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman watches his line drive to left field for a two-run RBI during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies, right, celebrate scoring on a Freddie Freeman line drive single to left field during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Amis)