Miami, FL – Randall Delgado outdueled Josh Johnson, holding the Marlins to two hits, and paved the way to a 2-1 victory, as the Braves won their second straight in a three-game series.
Delgado (4-5) allowed one run, struck out seven and walked one over 6 1/3 innings and also drove in a run.
"Today, he was probably the best [opposing pitcher] we have seen," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said.
A night after Tim Hudson twirled a five-hit shutout, Braves pitchers only allowed three baserunners and struck out nine.
"It was a good effort by the pitching staff today," Braves manager Freddi Gonzalez said. "We played some good defense, nothing flashy, made all the routine plays and just got enough runs."
Brian McCann delivered three hits, including a rally-starting double in a two- run fourth inning.
Johnson (3-4) was dominant as well. He only gave up two runs in 7 2/3 innings and struck out nine.
"I loved the way JJ threw the ball," Guillen said. "His breaking ball was pretty good today and his command was way, way better."
After McCann lined his double into the left-field corner, Dan Uggla drew a walk. Then Freddie Freeman grounded a single through the right side, scoring McCann, advancing Uggla to third and giving the Braves an early lead.
Jason Heyward followed with a ground ball to second base. Freeman was retired at second, but the throw to first hit Freeman's elevated hand and was ruled interference, retiring Heyward and bringing Uggla back to third.
Johnson intentionally walked Andrelton Simmons to get to Delgado and minimize the damage. However, with Simmons running, Delgado hit a ground ball behind Jose Reyes at shortstop for a single to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.
Miami got on the board in the fifth after Giancarlo Stanton became the first Marlin to reach base against Delgado. Stanton led off the inning with a double down the left field line, then scored three batters later when Bryan Petersen delivered a base hit into left.
The Marlins were hitless the rest of the night. After Delgado walked Stanton in the seventh, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez called on Jonny Venters, who came in and retired Logan Morrison and Justin Ruggiano to end the inning.
John Buck sent a fly ball to the right field warning track against Eric O'Flaherty in the eighth, but the Marlins still went down in order.
Craig Kimbrel picked up his 17th save in easy fashion, not allowing a base runner.
Game Notes
Freeman left the game after getting hit by Reyes' throw in the fourth inning...Hanley Ramirez is 1-for-14 against the Braves this year...The Braves are 9-2 on the road against the Marlins in their last 11 meetings...Reyes' 15-game hit streak was snapped...Johnson's three-decision win streak ended...Johnson is 5-4 with a 2.29 earned run average against the Braves in his career (102 innings, 26 earned runs), and in his last four starts against Atlanta, he has struck out at least eight...Atlanta is 5-1 in its last six games...Atlanta is 25-15 with McCann in the lineup, and 6-10 without him...After losing five straight decisions, Delgado has two straight wins.
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