MIAMI (AP) — Julio Teheran was having another fine outing against the Miami Marlins until the middle innings rolled around.
Miami got to Teheran for one run in the fifth and three more in the sixth on the way to a 4-0 victory Sunday over the slumping Atlanta Braves, who managed only five hits.
“I thought the game was right there and the opportunity to get back in it and to go ahead, but we didn’t,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Teheran (13-11) allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings.
In a tight race for the second NL wild card, the Braves have lost four of five. They were shut out for the fourth time in their last eight games.
“Teheran just gave up four runs and on most nights he’s got a chance to win that game,” Gonzalez said.
Brad Hand (3-6) gave up five hits and struck out three in six sharp innings. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had two RBIs, and Donovan Solano and Marcell Ozuna each drove in a run for the Marlins, who took two of three from Atlanta and won the season series 10-9.
“We just needed to win a series,” Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. “We’ve come out strong that first game for whatever reason and to win a series against a great team and a team that we’ve had really some great battles against all year (is great).”
Chris Hatcher, Mike Dunn and A.J. Ramos combined to pitch the final three innings for the Marlins.
“Teheran is a great pitcher,” Hand said. “He doesn’t give up very many runs, so we got that one and I just wanted to go out there and keep the lead.”
Hand retired his first 11 batters before Freddie Freeman’s two-out single in the fourth. He calmly pitched out of jams in the fourth and sixth by retiring Evan Gattis both times.
“We had second and third there and in a situation (in the sixth) where we had our best hitters up, and (Hand) pitched out of it,” Gonzalez said.
Teheran set down 13 in a row before Garrett Jones doubled in the fifth. Saltalamacchia followed with an RBI single to left field, giving Miami a 1-0 lead.
“It looked like early that that was going to be a real pitchers’ battle. Especially a day game, it looked like there were some tired guys out there,” Redmond said.
But then the Marlins were able to get to Teheran, who entered 4-0 with a 2.31 ERA in seven starts against Miami. He gave up four hits in the sixth, including an RBI single by Solano and an RBI double by Ozuna. The right-hander exited with the Braves trailing 3-0.
“I think they made adjustments on the way I was pitching today,” Teheran said. “I think later on in the game they were right on my fastball.”
Saltalamacchia added a sacrifice fly.
ANGRY YOUNG MAN
Teheran slammed down his glove in the dugout after he was pulled.
“He competes,” Gonzalez said. “He doesn’t want to come out of games and I don’t blame him. I don’t want anybody to come out of games. He’s got to keep pitching the way he pitches and hopefully we can start swinging the bats.”
UP NEXT
Atlanta begins a three-game series at Washington on Monday, with LHP Mike Minor (6-9, 4.65 ERA) on the mound against RHP Doug Fister (12-6, 2.66).
The Marlins travel to Milwaukee for a four-game set beginning Monday. RHP Brad Penny (1-1, 6.61 ERA) starts for Miami against RHP Yovani Gallardo (8-8, 3.43).
HAND AT HOME
Hand is 2-2 with a 2.67 ERA in his last four home starts. He is 1-2 with a 5.16 ERA in his past four road starts.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: RHP Henderson Alvarez (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen before the game and did not feel any discomfort. The team hopes he can rejoin the rotation this week.
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