Marlins 4, Braves 1
ATLANTA -- Left-hander Brad Hand allowed one run over seven innings and drove in two runs with sacrifice bunts as the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak and avoid a four-game sweep.
Hand (2-2) allowed only two hits in his longest start of the year. He threw 91 pitches, 52 for strikes, struck out three, walked two and improved his career record against the Braves to 2-3.
The only run off Hand came on a solo homer by left fielder Jonny Gomes, his fifth, in the seventh inning. That ended Hand's streak of 83 consecutive innings without allowing a home run, which had been the longest in the league.
Hand, a .157 hitter, also executed a pair of safety squeeze sacrifice bunts and picked up two RBIs. He entered the game with two career RBIs.
In the eighth, Miami reliever Bryan Morris allowed runners to reach second and third but got out of the mess unscathed. A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 18th save.
Atlanta starter Shelby Miller (5-9) lasted only five innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Miller was removed for a pinch hitter on the warm afternoon after throwing 100 pitches. He is winless in his past 15 starts, dating to May 23.
The Marlins, who previously touched Miller for only one run in 19 innings this season, put up a pair in the second inning. Center fielder Cole Gillespie singled and advanced to second on an infield grounder. He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Hand's safety squeeze.
Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who walked ahead of Hand's bunt, scored when second baseman Dee Gordon singled to right field.
The Marlins tacked on a run in the sixth inning. Catcher J.T. Realmuto reached on an infield single with one out, advanced to third on Hechavarria's single and scored on Hand's fielder's choice bunt.
Miami added some insurance in the eighth against rookie reliever Matt Marksberry. Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki tripled and scored on Christian Yelich's single, the left fielder's third hit of the game.
NOTES: Miami manager Dan Jennings said RHP Jose Fernandez may be placed on the 15-day disabled list. Fernandez flew home to be examined Saturday and was diagnosed with a strained right biceps. ... The Braves and Marlins are both off Monday and begin a two-game series Tuesday. Atlanta is at Tampa Bay, and Miami is at home against Boston. The Braves split an earlier two-game series against the Rays at Turner Field. Atlanta is 5-7 against American League teams. The Marlins lost their earlier two games at Fenway Park. Miami is 5-10 in interleague play. ... Atlanta will send rookie RHP Williams Perez (4-2, 4.48 ERA) against Tampa Bay RHP Erasmo Ramirez (8-4, 3.83 ERA) in the first game. ... Miami is expected to recall LHP Justin Nicolino (1-1, 4.09 ERA) from Triple-A New Orleans for the start in the series opener.