Marlins Get First Victory Over Braves, Avoid Sweep
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ATLANTA, Ga. (The Sports Xchange) -- Derek Dietrich and Tom Koehler made sure that the Miami Marlins weren't swept by the last-place Atlanta Braves for the second time in two series.
Dietrich had a career-best four RBIs, and Koehler took a two-hitter into the eighth inning as the Marlins avoided going 0-6 against the Braves with a 7-3 victory Sunday before a sellout of 50,247 at Turner Field.
Dietrich hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning and added a two-run double in the seventh to back Koehler, who didn't give up a second hit until the seventh inning.
Koehler (3-5) ended up being charged with three runs (two earned) after the Braves scored twice in the eighth inning. The right-hander was pulled following a walk, a single and a Marlins error.
Marcell Ozuna hit his 10th homer of the season in the ninth off Braves reliever Ian Krol. The Marlins center fielder was 2-for-4 with an intentional walk while extending his hitting streak to 11 games and his on-base streak to 36 games. He scored three runs.
Koehler walked five but gave up just three hits and struck out two. He was pulled after 102 pitches.
Dietrich's homer on a 0-1 fastball came on a laboring Julio Teheran's 113th and final pitch.
Justin Bour doubled just ahead of Dietrich's blast, and Braves interim manager Brian Snitker elected to give Teheran at least one more batter.
Teheran, who favored his right knee off and on during the game, allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings. He saw his record fall to 1-5 despite a 2.77 ERA.
The Marlins (26-24) broke through for a run in the fourth on two singles, a walk and a fielder's choice. Ozuna scored after opening the inning with a single that kept his streaks alive.
The Braves (14-35) tied it in the bottom of the fourth on a walk, a double by Nick Markakis and A.J. Pierzynski's sacrifice fly before Dietrich put the Marlins back ahead with his two-run blast in the sixth.
The Marlins broke the game open with three runs in the seventh against reliever Eric O'Flaherty. Chris Johnson drove in the first run with a pinch-hit single, and then Dietrich drove in two with a double.
NOTES: Boosted by a postgame concert from country singer Chris Stapleton, the sellout crowd was the second of the season at Turner Field. The other was Opening Day. ... LF Christian Yelich, who pinch-hit in the two previous games of the series, returned to the Marlins' lineup after not starting eight straight games because of back spasms. ... RF Giancarlo Stanton (right side strain) remained out of the Marlins' lineup for the fifth consecutive game. ... The Marlins open a week-long homestand with four games against Pittsburgh beginning Memorial Day. LHP Justin Nicolino (2-2, 4.37 ERA) will start the series opener versus the Pirates. ... The Braves host San Francisco on Memorial Day in the opener of a four-game series. RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-2, 3.95 ERA) will start against the Giants.
