Jones Lifts Marlins Past Braves 3-1 In 10
ATLANTA (AP) — Garrett Jones drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the 10th inning, lifting the Miami Marlins to a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.
Christian Yelich led off the 10th with a single off Shae Simmons (1-2) and moved to second on Jordany Valdespin's sacrifice bunt. Following an intentional walk to Giancarlo Stanton, Simmons walked Casey McGehee to load the bases.
Jones broke a 1-1 tie with his grounder past Simmons into center field.
Bryan Morris (7-0) stranded two runners in a scoreless ninth. Steve Cishek pitched a perfect 10th inning for his 22nd save.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit his 10th homer for Miami in the fifth for a 1-1 tie that held until the ninth.
The Braves began the night one percentage point behind first-place Washington in the NL East.
The Marlins couldn't score after loading the bases with no outs in the ninth against closer Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel walked McGehee to open the ninth and he raced to third on Jones' single to right. Kimbrel had two strikes on Marcell Ozuna before throwing four straight balls to load the bases.
Kimbrel struck out Saltalamacchia and Adeiny Hechavarria before pinch-hitter Donovan Solano lined out to second base to end the inning.
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran matched his career high with 11 strikeouts while allowing one run and four hits in seven innings.
Miami starter Tom Koehler allowed one run and five hits in 6 2-3 innings. He gave up the run in the second inning when Justin Upton led off with a single up the middle and later scored on Chris Johnson's groundout.
Teheran retired Miami's first nine hitters before walking Yelich to open the fourth. That set the stage for Andrelton Simmons' defensive play of the game.
With Yelich running from first, Simmons was running toward second base when Valdespin hit a sharp grounder toward shortstop. Simmons stopped and dived back toward his vacated spot to grab the grounder before again quickly reversing his momentum to reach in the other direction and tag second base to force out Yelich.
With two outs in the fifth, Saltalamacchia pulled a homer into the seats in right field for Miami's first hit, tying the game at 1-1.
The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth with the help of shortstop Hechavarria's throwing error to first base after fielding Jason Heyward's grounder. Koehler walked Evan Gattis to load the bases before striking out Johnson to end the threat.
Gattis was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game. He had been sidelined since June 29 with a bulging disk in his lower back.
NOTES: The season series is tied 5-5. ... Braves C Christian Bethancourt drew a vote of confidence from manager Fredi Gonzalez after the rookie was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to clear a spot for Gattis. "This guy's going to be our catcher of the future," Gonzalez said. "He's just got to wait his turn." ... Miami manager Mike Redmond said RHP Henderson Alvarez will be able to make his scheduled start Thursday. Alvarez left Saturday's game against the Giants with a bruised left shin after being hit by a comebacker. ... The four-game series continues Tuesday night when Marlins RHP Jacob Turner faces Braves LHP Mike Minor.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
RELATED CONTENT: