The Atlanta Braves, winners of their last three games, needed a victory against the Miami Marlins Saturday night to keep the pressure on in their chase for a playoff spot. Marlins’ starter Jarred Cosart wanted to show the Astros that they made a mistake by trading him to the Marlins. Pride, and Cosart, won the battle.
Cosart (3-1) pitched well, scattering seven hits and a walk over seven shutout innings as the Marlins defeated the Braves 4-0 at Turner Field Saturday. He struck out five, and is now 3-0 (0.65 ERA) in his last four starts.
Braves starter Aaron Harang (10-9) took the loss after struggling through 5 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. Harang struck out five on his way to a 97 pitch day.
Not all the baserunners were Harang’s doing, though. Atlanta played one of their worst defensive games of the year, committing three errors and a passed ball. Tommy La Stella and Evan Gattis each mishandled chances (Gattis’ was on a pitch, hence the passed ball), while Chris Johnson and the unlikely Andrelton Simmons each were charged for errant throws.
Leadoff man Jason Heyward did his part, reaching base in three of his four plate appearances. He is now hitting .275 on the season, with an OBP of .356.
Even when the Braves were able to get runners on, Cosart limited the damage, inducing three double plays.
The Marlins’ Donovan Solano was 3 for 5 with two RBI, and a run scored. His first inning home run, his third of the season, was all the scoring the Marlins would need.
The series concludes with Game 3 on Sunday at 5:10 PM.
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