The Braves faced criticism for not acquiring a top starter at the trade deadline, but Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes responded with dominant outings. Elder threw one-hit ball over seven innings Wednesday, a night after Holmes pitched six scoreless frames, leading Atlanta to a pair of wins over the Miami Marlins. The first-place Braves have won a season-high seven straight and lead the Philadelphia Phillies by 8 1/2 games in the NL East.

Manager Walt Weiss said the pitchers may be using the outside noise as motivation. Elder retired 18 straight at one point, mixing his cutter and changeup effectively. The only hit was a soft liner that fell for a double. Elder (8-6) called it perhaps his best command in a long time during his 100th start. He has posted a 3-0 record with five runs allowed over 24 innings in his last four starts after a disastrous June (8.10 ERA).

The Braves' only deadline addition was Tyler Mahle (3-9, 5.13 ERA) from the Giants. With Chris Sale as the lone marquee name, and Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López sidelined, Elder and Holmes have quieted critics. "All we can do is control what we can control," Elder said.