Gattis homers off Alvarez as Braves' split squad beats Marlins 3-1

JUPITER, Fla. – Evan Gattis hit his first homer of spring training, a fourth-inning solo drive Wednesday as an Atlanta Braves' split squad beat the Miami Marlins 3-1.

Gattis batted .368 with six homers during spring training last year — a fast start he attributed to playing winter ball. He skipped winter ball this offseason.

Henderson Alvarez allowed one run and five hits in 3 2-3 innings, giving up the home run on a sinker. In his first start of spring training, Alvarez retired nine straight batters against St. Louis on Friday. That was his first game action since pitching a no-hitter on the final day last season.

B.J. Upton's hit was the first off Alvarez since Cameron Rupp's seventh-inning single for Philadelphia on Sept. 24.