Bullpen yields late rally as Marlins come up short against Braves
ATLANTA (AP) -- Even Jose Fernandez couldn't end the Miami Marlins' slide.
Nick Markakis had three hits, including a tie-breaking two-run single in the seventh inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the struggling Marlins 6-3 on Friday night.
The Marlins entered the game 3-1 when Fernandez starts since the All-Star break and 2-14 when he didn't.
Fernandez pitched well, giving up two runs and four hits over five innings while striking out seven, but a lengthy fourth inning caused him to be pulled early, and the Braves scored four runs off the Marlins' bullpen to extend the losing streak to five games.
Fernandez threw just 76 pitches in five innings, but he threw 39 in the fourth.
"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 arguing a checked-swing call. "We said we would use the common sense approach with him."
After setting down the first 10 Braves, Fernandez faltered in the fourth. After a walk to Daniel 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.
"He was pretty dominant early in the game," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We ended up getting some great at-bats and found some holes."
Dee Gordon gave the Marlins a 3-2 lead in the seventh when he beat out an infield single with two outs. Gordon grounded the ball to first baseman Terdoslavich, then outraced Ross Detwiler (1-5) to the bag. The play allowed Adeiny Hechavarria to score from third. Hechavarria tripled to knock in two runs earlier in the inning.
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, 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. With the bases still loaded, Markakis laced a single to center field, knocking in two runs to give the Braves a 5-3 lead.
Rookie reliever Kendry Flores (0-1) took the loss.
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 for the Braves on 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.
