McCann’s HR gets Braves by Marlins in 10
July 31, 2009
MIAMI (AP)—One swing by Brian McCann(notes) kept the Atlanta Braves from being sweptand let them keep talking about a possible postseason appearance.
McCann’s three-run homer in the 10th inning gave the Braves a 6-3 victoryover the Florida Marlins on Thursday night.
“We’re still playing good baseball,” said McCann, who also had twodoubles. “It’s a sign of a good team when you lose a couple in a row and peopleare a little antsy.”
Nate McLouth(notes) led off the Braves’ 10th against Luis Ayala(notes) (1-3) with asingle. After a sacrifice and an intentional walk to Chipper Jones(notes), McCann hit a2-2 pitch over the right-center field wall.
“He’s a power hitter and you can’t make mistakes in that situation,” Ayalasaid.
Cody Ross(notes) hit his 15th home run in the eighth to bring the Marlins within3-2. After Hanley Ramirez(notes) was intentionally walked with runners on second andthird, Florida tied it on Jorge Cantu’s(notes) infield single.
Series at a Glance Atlanta 3 Florida 4 Tue, Jul 28 – Final Atlanta 3 Florida 6 Wed, Jul 29 – Final Atlanta 6 Florida 3 Thu, Jul 30 – Final 10th
The loss ended a three-game winning streak.
“We had some chances to get that sweep,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalezsaid. “We battled back, but we just couldn’t get that bloop single that weneeded.”
Peter Moylan(notes) (3-2) worked the ninth for Atlanta and Rafael Soriano(notes) recordedhis 15th save in 17 chances as Atlanta moved one game behind Florida for secondplace in the NL East.
“It was a great comeback,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “You don’t liketo blow the lead, but we came back and won it. So that’s OK.”
Even having lost the first two games of the series, the Braves are 18-10since they were a season-worst six games under .500 on June 27. The recent surgehas put them back in the mix of teams fighting for the NL wild card.
Casey Kotchman’s(notes) double in the second inning scored McCann and Yunel Escobar(notes)and gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead. McLouth’s RBI single in the seventh put the Bravesahead 3-1.
First base umpire Gary Darling… AP – Jul 30, 10:44 pm EDT
It was another start with little support for Atlanta’s Javier Vazquez(notes).
Vazquez struck out eight and allowed three runs in 7 1-3 innings for ano-decision that ended his three-game winning streak.
Rick VandenHurk(notes) had a career-high nine strikeouts and gave up two runs insix innings for Florida.
“We took one away from them a couple nights ago and that was nice,” Rosssaid. “Tonight, to climb back was nice, but we wanted to come away with thevictory there.”
Unlike the series opener Tuesday, when pinch-hitter Ross Gload(notes) hit a two-runhomer with one out in the bottom of the ninth to give Florida a 4-3 win, Atlantaheld off the rally.
“We won an important game,” Vazquez said. “Those first two losses weren’tgood. It was important to win that game to keep us right there in contention.”
NOTES: Escobar had a right wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch in thesecond inning. He was replaced at shortstop the following inning by DioryHernandez(notes). The team said X-rays were negative, and he’s day-to-day. … With 27doubles, McCann ranks first among all major league catchers. … Marlins RHPAnibal Sanchez(notes) (sprained shoulder) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Thursday andwill have about three rehab starts in Single-A Jupiter, Gonzalez said. Sanchez,who threw a no-hitter in September 2006 for Florida, was placed on the 60-day DLon July 12.
