MIAMI -- The Marlins were swept by the Braves in the first split doubleheader in loanDepot park history on Saturday. By dropping decisions of 5-2 in Game 1 and 6-2 in Game 2, Miami has scored three runs or fewer in 14 straight games -- the longest streak in MLB since the 1979 Cubs.

Here are three takeaways.

Three’s company
The left-handed-hitting Lewin Díaz sat Game 1 against southpaw Kyle Muller, then started the nightcap with righty Ian Anderson on the mound. Expect to see more of that through the remainder of the season, as the Marlins try to figure out what they have in Díaz, a premier defensive first baseman. On Friday, manager Don Mattingly said Díaz would get the “lion’s share” of playing time, especially against right-handed pitching.

Díaz went hitless in four at-bats, just getting under Raisel Iglesias’ offering for a flyout to right with two runners on in the ninth. He is 8-for-50 (.160) with one extra-base hit since starting on a regular basis on July 26. During this stretch, however, Díaz has six walks and 12 strikeouts.

This situation leaves Miami trying to figure out how to split time between Garrett Cooper and Jesús Aguilar, both of whom were kept at the Trade Deadline. Cooper, who made the All-Star team, started at first in the opener but hasn’t been able to stay on the field or recover his swing at the plate (.561 OPS since June 28). He lined out softly with the bases loaded to end Game 2. Aguilar served as the designated hitter in both games and went deep twice, giving him a team-high 15 homers.

Sure, there have been costly injuries to the likes of All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. and slugger Jorge Soler in 2022. But the Marlins also have missed the consistent run production of Aguilar, who was in the hunt for most RBIs in the National League until undergoing arthroscopic left knee surgery last September.

“I think I've got to prepare in the same way [as] when I play first,” said Aguilar, who entered Saturday 4-for-35 (.114) over his previous 12 games. “[Díaz] is going to play more first now, so I've got to do the adjustment to prepare when I DH. Just be ready any time and try to do my best. Just try to swing at strikes. I think that's the biggest thing for me; the last couple of games, I started to do that.”

It’s all mental
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo wasn’t pleased with his third start back from the injured list (four earned runs in five innings) in Game 1. One of his two free passes came with the bases loaded; he entered having walked just one batter through 12 innings since rejoining the club on Aug. 1.

Atlanta was aggressive from the onset, and it helped Luzardo cruise through three innings with five strikeouts. But he ran into trouble in a 31-pitch fourth. Aside from the bases-loaded walk, Chadwick Tromp knocked a two-run double on a changeup well below the zone. Luzardo was able to escape further damage by striking out Ronald Acuña Jr, though Matt Olson homered in the fifth.

“Just mentality,” Luzardo said of his progress this season. “I feel like I’m more mature. I took my beating last year, time and time again. I feel like games like this aren't really getting to me anymore. I'm not necessarily saying I'm happy; [I’m] obviously frustrated, want to do better, need to do better. But at the same time, last year was just beating after beating, and I feel like now I understand what my stuff does in the zone and how I can get guys out, so I can use their aggression against them.”

Need some relief
Even with a 27-man roster for the doubleheader, the Marlins taxed their relief corps with a bullpen game in the nightcap.

Right-hander Tommy Nance returned from the injured list (right groin strain) to open Game 2, with his lone blemish a first-pitch homer to Acuña. He matched career highs in innings (three) and strikeouts (six) and set a new mark for pitches (56).

Miami optioned righty Jeff Brigham (44 pitches) after Game 1 to reinstate Nance, while right-hander A.J. Ladwig gave Miami 3 1/3 innings on 41 pitches in his MLB debut in Game 2. Huascar Brazoban added 51 pitches. Anthony Bender exited after five pitches with right arm stiffness and will be reevaluated on Sunday.

If there’s any consolation, Miami didn’t use closer Tanner Scott or setup man Steven Okert. Dylan Floro took over for Bender with two outs in the ninth. Richard Bleier (21) and Elieser Hernandez (10) had reasonable pitch counts in Game 1.

“It'll test our depth, let's put it that way,” Mattingly said.