Stanton Snaps Slump, Drives In 4, Marlins Beat Braves 8-2
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ATLANTA (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton broke out of a slump with three hits and four RBIs, Dee Gordon and Ichiro Suzuki each scored two runs and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 8-2 on Tuesday night.
It was Miami's first win in five tries this season, and fifth in its last 13 games, against the Braves.
Stanton, who signed a record 13-year, $325 million contract in November, began the game hitting just .130 with three RBIs in 23 at-bats. But he was dialed in against the Braves.
Tom Koehler (1-1) gave up six hits, two runs and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 1-3 innings for the win.
The Marlins went up 3-0 in the first on Stanton's RBI single, Martin Prado's sacrifice fly and Michael Morse's RBI double. Stanton also walked twice and scored two runs in the game.
It was just the fourth multi-run inning for Miami in eight games this year.
Trevor Cahill (0-1), making his first start for Atlanta and 171st of his career, allowed five hits, four runs and three walks with two strikeouts in 2 1-3 innings in the loss.
His struggles continued in the third. He hit Morse with a pitch to load the bases and was chased after Marcell Ozuna walked to make it 4-0.
Sugar Ray Marimon, the fourth Atlanta reliever to make his majors debut this year, bailed out Cahill, but the Braves were trailing 5-0 hole in the fourth after Stanton's RBI single.
In the bottom of the inning, Freddie Freeman and A.J. Pierzynski hit consecutive homers to cut the lead to 5-2.
The Marlins made it 6-2 in the sixth on Gordon's sacrifice fly. Gordon has reached safely in seven of eight games and is hitting .364. He had two hits and two stolen bases.
Koehler was chased with one out in the sixth after walking Chris Johnson to load the bases. But A.J. Ramos ended the threat by getting Kelly Johnson to pop up and Andrelton Simmons to fly out.
Stanton added a two-run double in the eighth off Andrew McKirahan to make it 8-2.
Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia stranded seven runners, going 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: LF Christian Yelich was scratched from the lineup because of tightness in his back. Suzuki took his place, going 1 for 4 with a walk and scored two runs. Yelich, a Gold Glove winner last year, has been getting treatment recently for his back and is listed as day to day.
Braves: Manager Fredi Gonzalez had no update on starting LHP Mike Minor, who's on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation and has yet to throw again off a mound since aggravating the injury.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Dan Haren (0-0) makes his second start of the season after allowing four hits, one run and striking out two Friday against Tampa Bay. Haren is 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA in nine starts and a relief appearance against Atlanta.
Braves: LHP Eric Stults (0-0) has a 5.29 ERA and is 2-3 in seven games, including six starts, against Miami.
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