ATLANTA -- Understandably, Caleb Smith was a bit rusty in his first big league start in a month. The left-hander also showed why, in the Marlins’ eyes, he is considered a staple in the rotation, and around the Major Leagues, he is a potential trade target.

Smith made a successful return on Saturday afternoon from the injured list. In six innings, the 27-year-old gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits with six strikeouts in the Marlins’ 5-4 comeback win over the Braves at SunTrust Park.

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Harold Ramirez and Starlin Castro each homered, and Yadiel Rivera delivered the go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning. The Marlins snapped a five-game skid, and on Sunday have a chance to take two of three in the series from the National League East-leading Braves before heading into the All-Star break.

“Physically, I felt good,” Smith said. “My hip felt good. My arm felt good. My command wasn't there with any of my pitches, at all. It got better as the game went on. After the third inning, I kind of settled in and started hitting spots a little bit better. Still, it wasn't great.”

Smith made his first start since June 6 at Milwaukee, in a game where his fastball velocity dipped about two mph from his previous start. The next day, the left-hander went on the 10-day IL with left hip inflammation. His average fastball velocity was back to where it was earlier in the season -- 92.3 mph -- on Saturday. His maximum velo was 94.6 mph.

“That's the guy that we really trust,” Castro said of Smith. “That's the guy who is going to go out there and compete, no matter what. No matter how the game is, he's going to compete. That's the way he is.”

Smith was reinstated on Saturday morning, with reliever Jeff Brigham optioned to Triple-A New Orleans to create roster room. 

The Marlins were able to battle back from a 4-2 deficit against Max Fried, who fell to 9-4. Smith, meanwhile, won his first decision since May 1 against Cleveland. 

Rivera’s two-run single in the fifth came with first base open and the pitcher on deck. 

“To be honest, I was thinking they're probably going to walk me,” Rivera said. “They've got first base open. But when I saw they were going to pitch to me, they were going to throw it right there in the strike zone, I was waiting on a mistake.”

After missing a month, Smith received a rude welcome by the Braves. On his first pitch of the game, Ronald Acuna Jr. jumped on a 90.7 mph four-seam fastball and crushed a leadoff home run. Statcast projected the drive to center at 431 feet with an exit velocity of 108.1 mph. Atlanta tacked on a second run in the inning on Freddie Freeman’s RBI groundout.

In the second, Austin Riley hit a leadoff homer versus Smith, who has surrendered 15 home runs in 72 innings.

“It took a few innings to get comfortable,” Smith said. “Obviously, this is one of the better lineups we're going to face this season. You've got to give them credit, but at the same time, I've got to make better pitches. I just wasn't doing it early.”

Smith recovered by throwing three scoreless innings from the fourth through sixth, retiring the final nine batters he faced with three strikeouts. 

The Marlins will have rotation decisions to make after the All-Star break. Smith has impressed most of the season, boasting a 31.7 percent strikeout rate on his four-seam fastball. Teams are hitting .148 against his slider.

“I'm happy to be back,” Smith said. “The results today were average. They're not what I want, but it's a good start.”