Marlins 7, Braves 3
ATLANTA -- Thanks to a three-game sweep of the skidding Atlanta Braves, the Miami Marlins are now third in the National League East despite their disappointing season.
Left fielder Christian Yelich had four hits, including two doubles, and center fielder Marcell Ozuna homered as the Marlins defeated the Braves 7-3 on Wednesday, handing Atlanta its eighth straight loss.
The Marlins (55-79) had an 18-4 edge over the Braves (54-79) during the sweep and Atlanta has been outscored 67-19 during its losing streak.
The Braves, who were 42-42 on July 8, have lost 15 of 16 games and 30 of the past 49. It is the first time they have been 25 games under .500 since 1990.
Third baseman Martin Prado and right fielder Ichiro Suzuki each had two hits for the Marlins, with Prado driving in two runs.
Marlins rookie starter Adam Conley (3-1) allowed four hits and three runs over five innings and helped himself with an RBI single. The left-hander walked three and struck out four in his sixth major league start.
Cuban third baseman Hector Olivera drove in two runs for the Braves with his first major league hit.
Williams Perez (4-6) lost his sixth straight decision. The rookie right-hander was charged with six runs (four earned) while giving up nine hits in five innings.
Perez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after lasting just 1 2/3 innings last Friday against the New York Yankees, but he was recalled when Mike Folynewicz was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a virus.
The Braves scored three times off Conley to go up 3-2 in a third inning that included a leadoff walk to Perez and a two-run single by Olivera. Conley walked a second batter and hit another in the inning, with the Braves also benefiting from an overturned out call.
The Marlins tied it in the fourth inning and took a 6-3 lead when Ozuna capped the fifth by hitting a hanging 0-2 curveball over the left field fence for his eighth homer of the season. Two of the three runs were unearned after Nick Swisher dropped a ball in right field.
Conley had an RBI single in a two-run second inning that saw the Marlins lose Adeiny Hechavarria. The slick-fielding shortstop, who is also batting .281, felt tightness in his left hamstring legging out an infield hit.
The Miami bullpen allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings to complete the victory.
NOTES: Braves SS Andrelton Simmons (right ankle inflammation) returned to the lineup after missing two games. ... The Marlins selected the contract of LHP Raudel Lazo from Double-A Jacksonville for an extra arm in the bullpen. ... To make room for Lazo on the 40-man roster, Miami moved INF/OF Don Kelly (Tommy John surgery) from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list. ... The Marlins are off Thursday before beginning a nine-game homestand Friday against the New York Mets. ... Milwaukee and Washington follow the Mets to Miami. ... The Braves start a seven-game road trip Thursday at Washington. ... Atlanta has lost nine straight road games and 19 of the past 21.