Braves 5, Marlins 2
Kris Medlen carried a shutout into the seventh inning and a five-run fourth helped visiting Atlanta snap a four-game losing streak.
The Braves reduced their magic number to clinch the National League East to eight while remaining 12 games ahead of second-place Washington. Medlen (13-12) won his third consecutive start, holding the Marlins to two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings, and Craig Kimbrel recorded his major-league leading 45th save and 35th in a row.
Chris Coghlan finished 4-for-4 for Miami, which lost its third in a row and 14th in its past 19 contests. Henderson Alvarez (3-4) lasted four innings, allowing five runs on five hits – all coming in the fourth inning – with three walks and a wild pitch.
The Braves, who had scored 10 runs during their losing streak, broke through on Evan Gattis’ two-run double just inside the third-base bag in the fourth. Chris Johnson and Elliot Johnson produced run-scoring singles in the frame, and Atlanta added a fifth run on Alvarez’s wild pitch.
The Marlins chased Medlen in the seventh on Ed Lucas’ two-run double to the wall in center. Miami relievers Brad Hand (three innings), Dan Jennings (one inning) and Chris Hatcher (one inning) held the Braves hitless across the final five innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Miami C Jeff Mathis left the game after five innings with a right thumb contusion. … Atlanta OF Justin Upton doubled leading off the fourth, snapping a 0-for-18 skid. … Miami OF Giancarlo Stanton (ankle) did not play, but manager Mike Redmond told reporters Stanton could return to the lineup Tuesday.