Braves Drop Wild One to the Marlins, Lose 7-6

Brian McCann launched his 13th home run for the Braves this Season Friday Night. Photo Courtesy of Tim Evearitt

Billy Wagner blew his second consecutive save in the ninth as the Marlins came away with a comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins tied the game on a passed ball as a high fast ball tipped off of the glove of catcher Brian McCann allowing Emilio Bonifacio to score the tying run. Donnie Murphy then followed with a pinch hit single that scored Gabby Sanchez to give the Marlins the walk off win.

Lowe received a no decision Friday Night against the Marlins. Photo Courtesy of Tim Evearitt

Derek Lowe got the start for the Braves and went 5.2 innings while allowing 4 earned runs. He only allowed 5 hits for the night but also walked five Marlins hitters. Lowe’s troubles began early. Chris Coghlan led off the game with a single and after retiring Gabby Sanchez and Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla launched a two run home run to straight away center field giving the Marlins an early 2-0 advantage. Lowe then settled down holding the Marlins at bay until the sixth inning.

Once again Dan Uggla struck against Derek Lowe in the sixth with a lead off double. Long time Lowe nemesis Jorge Cantu grounded out to third for the first out but Cody Ross then walked placing runners and first and second with one out. Mike Stanton then lined out to left field for the second out of the inning before Ronny Paulino also walked to load the bases. With two outs pinch hitter Bryan Peterson stepped into the box with a .056 batting average on the season promptly singled to right scoring both Uggla and Ross and chasing Lowe from the game.

The Braves got their offense going in the fifth inning on Martin Prado home run in to the left field upper deck. Brian McCann later tied the game 4-4 in the seventh inning with his thirteenth home run of the season. Not to be undone the Marlins came right back out in the bottom half and retook the lead on a Gabby Sanchez home run off of Braves reliever Peter Moylan.

The Braves would take the lead back in the ninth inning after Brian McCann tied the game again with a single. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Matt Diaz was hit by a pitch scoring Chipper Jones which gave the Braves their first lead of the night at 6-5. Wagner came on in the bottom half and immediately walked former Brave Wes Helms to lead off the inning. Coghlan flied out to center before Gabby Sanchez singled pinch runner Bonifacio to third. After an intentional walk to Hanley Ramirez which loaded the bases, Dan Uggla struck out for the second out of the inning. With pinch hitter Donnie Murphy at the plate Wagner sent a high fastball that tipped off the glove of McCann allowing Bonifacio to score and tie the game. Murphy then followed with the game winning hit.

Gonzalez cracked out two more hits for the Braves on Friday night. Photo Courtesy of Tim Evearitt

Martin Prado went 3-5 at the plate with his 12th home run and 28th double of the season. Jason Heyward stayed hot going 2-3 with a couple of walks. New Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez also went 2-5 in the loss. Brian McCann had the biggest night offensively going 2-5 with his 13th home run while driving in 4 runs. It was however his passed ball that enabled the Marlins to tie the game in the ninth.

Nate McLouth watch: 0-3 average down to .173.

The Braves will look to bounce back on Saturday night when they send right hander Kris Medlen to the mound for his first start of the second half of the season. He will be opposed by Marlins righty Anibal Sanchez.