Perez's single in 8th lifts Braves past Marlins 9-8
ATLANTA (AP) — Now maybe Andrew McKirahan and Arodys Vizcaino can move past the 80-game suspensions they served this year after testing positive for a banned substance.
In a strange twist for the Atlanta Braves pitchers, McKirahan earned his first career win and Vizcaino his first career save in the same game — a 9-8 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
"Those were hard times for us," Vizcaino said. "But every time we get the chance to pitch in the big leagues, we want to make the most of it."
Added McKirahan, "Arodys has helped us out tremendously since he's been back, and I've tried to do the same thing."
Eury Perez drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Nick Markakis had three RBIs to lead the Braves.
Adonis Garcia hit a two-run homer for the Braves, who won for just the fourth time in 15 games.
Martin Prado had three RBIs for Miami, which has dropped 11 of 13.
The Marlins scored three runs in the top of the eighth to tie it 8-all. But Perez delivered the winning hit against Bryan Morris (3-3) after Daniel Castro reached on an infield single, advanced to second on Morris' throwing error and moved over on a bunt.
"It was one of those things where I put myself in trouble," Morris said. "Making a bad pitch with two strikes to the first hitter and then throwing the ball down the line."
McKirahan (1-0) got the win despite giving up three hits, three runs, one walk and striking out one in the eighth inning.
"It was one of those days where you don't have your best stuff," McKirahan said. "My slider and fastball weren't there. I had to do everything I could to get out of that inning. Luckily my teammates made the plays behind me and we won. That's huge."
Vizcaino, who faced four batters in the ninth, stepped into the closer's role last week after the Braves traded Jim Johnson. He and McKirahan both returned from their suspensions last month.
"I feel really good with my mind and body," Vizcaino said. "I just try to throw to contact."
Atlanta starter Matt Wisler surrendered nine hits, five runs and three walks and struck out three in 5 1-3 innings. The rookie has a 7.04 ERA over his last four starts.
The Braves led 8-5 in the fifth against Adam Conley after Joey Terdoslavich's RBI triple and Garcia's fifth homer.
Marlins starter Jose Urena left with a bruised left knee after two innings. He was injured when Daniel Castro lined a single off his leg. Urena gave up five runs on six hits.
The Marlins tied it 8-8 in the eighth on Dee Gordon's two-run single and Christian Yelich's RBI grounder.
TRAINER'S ROOM
MARLINS: Manager Dan Jennings said RF Giancarlo Stanton, on the disabled list since June 28 with a left wrist fracture, is swinging in the cage, running and throwing. Jennings added it's still too early to project a timetable for Stanton's return. ... Jennings said RHP Jarred Cosart, who's sidelined with vertigo, will soon begin a throwing program at the team's minor league facility in Jupiter, Florida. Jennings hopes that Cosart will return before the end of August. ... C J.T. Realmuto has a sore hand and was out of the lineup for the second straight game.
BRAVES: SS Andrelton Simmons missed his fifth straight game with a bruised right thumb. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Simmons can field and throw but still hasn't been allowed to swing a bat.
UP NEXT
MARLINS: RHP Jose Fernandez (4-0) is 3-1 with a 0.93 ERA in four career starts against Atlanta. Right-handed batters are hitting .187 against him in six starts this year.
BRAVES: RHP Julio Teheran (7-6) is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 10 career starts against the Marlins.