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Gonzalez, Prado lead Braves over Marlins 4-1

By The Associated Press
Posted 2:47PM on Wednesday 14th September 2011 ( 13 years ago )
ATLANTA -- Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run homer and Martin Prado bunted in a run during a four-run rally in seventh inning, and the revived Atlanta Braves beat the Florida Marlins 4-1 Wednesday to maintain their lead in the NL wild-card race.

Atlanta has won two straight following a season-high four-game losing streak. The Braves, who have 12 games left, maintained a 4 1/2-game wild-card lead over St. Louis.

Cristhian Martinez pitched a scoreless sixth and Eric O'Flaherty (2-4) a scoreless seventh as the two combined to face the minimum for Atlanta.

Five Braves combined on a four-hitter, and the Marlins didn't get a hit after the third or a runner after the fifth.

Cristhian Martinez, Eric O'Flaherty (2-4), Jonny Venters and rookie Craig Kimbrel each pitched a perfect inning, with Kimbrel striking out the side for his major league-leading 44th save in 49 chances.

O'Flaherty lowered his ERA two points to 1.05 ERA, best among major league relievers.

Greg Dobbs homered in the second off Randall Delgado, and Ricky Nolasco (10-11) held the lead until the seventh.

Dan Uggla walked with one out, and took third on Brian McCann's single, just the Braves' third hit. Prado squared as Nolasco released a pitch, and as the ball bounced softly inside the first-base line as Uggla scored without a play.

Gonzalez homered with two outs, his 13th of the year. Gonzalez went 2 for 3 and finished the series 8 for 11 (.727) with five RBIs against his former team.

-- NOTES: Nolasco was coming off a 13-4 win at Pittsburgh last Friday, but was 0-2 with a 9.27 in his previous four starts. In 19 career games, including 18 starts, Nolasco is 5-7 with a 4.76 ERA against Atlanta. ... Notes: Mike Dunn pitched the eighth for Florida. ... Atlanta took a 11-4 lead in the season series. ... Florida will play a doubleheader Thursday at Philadelphia to make up for the doubleheader that was postponed Aug. 27 by Hurricane Irene. ... RHP Anibal Sanchez will try to win his second straight start in the first game. He pitched a 3-0 shutout last Saturday at Pittsburgh. ... RHP Alex Sanabia, who has never faced the Phillies, will make his first start this season in the second game. He is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six career road starts. ... The Braves are off Thursday. ... Atlanta will start RHPs Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson and Brandon Beachy in three games this weekend against the New York Mets.
Atlanta Braves' Randall Delgado pitches against the Florida Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game on Wednesday in Atlanta. / photo: Associated Press

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