Marlins 6, Braves 2
MIAMI -- Justin Nicolino pitched seven strong innings and Justin Bour slugged a two-run homer to lead the Miami Marlins to a 6-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night at Marlins Park.
Nicolino (4-4) did not strike out a batter but allowed just two hits -- both singles -- three walks and one run in seven innings.
It was his best home start of the season. Before Saturday, he was 0-3 with a 5.86 ERA at Marlins Park.
Bour has 21 homers, the most by a Marlins rookie since Giancarlo Stanton hit 22 in 2010. The franchise record is 27, set by Dan Uggla in 2006.
Miami added four runs in the eighth inning, getting a bases-loaded walk from shortstop Miguel Rojas, a two-run single by pinch-hitter Casey McGehee and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Dee Gordon.
The Marlins (68-87) won their fourth game in a row. Still, it is the Marlins' sixth consecutive losing season, the longest active skid in the majors.
Atlanta (62-93) is having its worst season since 1990, when it lost 97 games.
After Bour's first-inning homer, the Braves cut their deficit to 2-1 in the third. Center fielder Cameron Maybin drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by starting pitcher Julio Teheran and scored on right fielder Nick Markakis' RBI single.
Miami nearly increased its lead to 3-1 in the fourth. Bour led off with a single and tried to score standing up on left fielder Derek Dietrich's double. But left fielder Nick Swisher got the ball to shortstop Andrelton Simmons, whose throw home nailed the slow-footed Bour.
In the sixth, Miami loaded the bases with two outs but failed to score when Nicolino bounced out.
Atlanta had a chance to tie or take the lead in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs. But Miami brought in reliever Bryan Morris and he struck out third baseman Adonis Garcia, who swung at a low pitch.
Maybin hit an RBI single in the ninth, but the Braves stranded two runners against reliever Jose Urena.
NOTES: Braves C A.J. Pierzynski, who left Friday's game because of a bruised left shoulder, sat out Saturday but could be return by Sunday. Had he been healthy, the lefty-hitting Pierzynski likely would have rested Saturday anyway against Marlins LHP Justin Nicolino. ... Braves 1B Freddie Freeman entered Saturday second in the majors with a .376 batting average with runners in scoring position. ... The Braves' Andrelton Simmons entered Saturday leading the majors in double plays turned by a shortstop with 123. He also led all National League shortstops in fielding percentage at .991. ... RHP A.J. Ramos on Friday became the 10th pitcher in Marlins history with 30 saves in a season. ... Friday was the third time in Marlins history that all eight position players had multiple hits.