Braves 7, Marlins 5
Martin Prado recorded four hits and Dan Uggla slugged a three-run homer as visiting Atlanta pulled within five games of Washington in the National League East.
The Braves, who lead St. Louis by 7½ games for the top NL wild card spot, jumped all over Miami starter Wade LeBlanc (2-5) for four first-inning runs. Three came on Uggla’s 19th homer of the season, a three-run shot to left with two outs.
Tim Hudson (15-6) gave up four runs and 10 hits in five innings as Atlanta won for the ninth time in its past 12 games. The Marlins rallied with four runs in the fourth and one in the seventh, but Prado’s fourth hit scored Jason Heyward with a key insurance run in the eighth.
LeBlanc surrendered six runs on seven hits in four innings. Center fielder Gorkys Hernandez and catcher Rob Brantly each posted a career-high three hits for the Marlins, who have lost 12 of their past 18 games.
Atlanta’s bullpen allowed only one run in four innings, with Craig Kimbrel pitching the ninth for his NL-leading 37th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Miami OF Giancarlo Stanton, second in the NL in homers with 34, missed the game with a sore left side. … Prado posted his sixth career four-hit game. … Uggla’s sliding stop and throw to first retired Bryan Petersen to end the eighth with two runners on for Miami.