Markakis leads Braves to 6-3 win over Marlins
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves' 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night included a winning pitcher who failed to retire a batter, consecutive plays that were overturned by replay in the seventh inning and one of the game's top pitchers was removed after five innings and just 76 pitches.
It all added up to the Braves' fourth win in six games and Miami's fifth straight loss.
Nick Markakis led the Braves with three hits, including a tie-breaking two-run single in the seventh inning, as he extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
Ross Detwiler (1-5) earned the win by getting one out after coming in for starter Julio Teheran with two outs in the seventh. He faced just one batter, Dee Gordon, who beat out an infield single that gave the Marlins a 3-2 lead. Detwiler then picked Gordon off first base, and was pinch-hit for the next inning.
Teheran gave up three runs and six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings.
"It was an exciting game," Teheran said. "(Marlins starter Jose Fernandez) is one of the best pitchers in this game. I was trying to do my job and I think I did it really good."
Fernandez remained unbeaten in six starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. He gave up two runs, four hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings. He was removed after 76 pitches, 39 of which came in the fourth inning. In his previous start, he threw 112.
"He had just come off of two outings where he had 112 and 100 pitches," said Marlins manager Dan Jennings, who was ejected in the ninth inning for arguing a checked-swing call. "We said we would use the common sense approach with him."
The Braves tied the game 3-3 in the seventh after a replay review reversed an out call at home plate. With the bases loaded, Daniel Castro hit a ground ball to third. Todd Cunningham slid past Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis, who took his foot off home plate before he caught the ball and failed to tag Cunningham.
"From the naked eye, I'm thinking, Cunningham is out," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Then I got a phone call from (coaching assistant) Horatio (Ramirez). He said challenge it. I got on the phone myself, which I never do, and he said, 'Challenge it.' Sure enough, it was plain as day."
With the bases still loaded, Markakis laced a single to center field, knocking in two runs to give the Braves a 5-3 lead. On that play, an out call was overturned when Castro slid into third base ahead of a tag by Martin Prado.
Arodys Vizcaino picked up his second career save with a scoreless ninth inning. Rookie Kendry Flores (0-1) took the loss in relief of Fernandez.
The Braves broke through against Fernandez in the fourth, ending a 20-inning scoreless streak against the Marlins ace. After a walk to Castro, the Braves had four consecutive singles to build a 2-0 lead. Markakis, A.J. Pierzynski, Cameron Maybin and Joey Terdoslavich all touched Fernandez, who was able to strand the bases loaded.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Rookie RHP Jose Urena (left knee contusion) and reliever Andre Rienzo (left knee laceration) were placed on the 15-day DL. The Marlins called up Flores from Triple-A New Orleans and Kyle Barraclough from Double-A Jacksonville. C J.T. Realmuto missed his third straight game with a sore left hand.
Braves: SS Andrelton Simmons (sprained right thumb) took batting practice for the first time since getting hurt on Aug. 2. The Braves are hoping he can return as soon as Saturday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: Tom Koehler (8-8, 3.71) will look to up his team-leading win total in the third game of a four-game series. He is 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA in three games against the Braves this season.
Braves: Newly acquired OFs Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher are expected to be in the starting lineup Saturday. Rookie Mike Foltyneiwicz (3-3, 5.40) will make his 11th career start and first against the Marlins. The Braves are 2-5 in his last seven starts.
SIMILAR TO SIMMONS
Castro, a rookie filling in for Simmons, a two-time Gold Glove winner, made a diving stop in the sixth inning and threw out Justin Bour from his knees.
NOT FAIR
The Braves fouled off 13 pitches in the fourth inning against Fernandez, with Markakis responsible for six.