Atlanta Braves, Sean Newcomb hold lead for 4-3 win
Braves get just enough offense and more than enough starting pitching to take care of business for their 5th win in 6 road games this week.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb extended his scoreless innings streak to 20 innings en route to a 4-3 win on Sunday against the Miami Marlins.
Newcomb took the win for the Braves after allowing just one hit through six innings and striking out six. He did walk four batters, but made quick work to strand those runners. His streak of success is slowly pushing him into a front-line starter for Atlanta.
After Braves first-baseman Freddie Freeman scored on a Nick Markakis single that dropped due to miscommunication within the infield, the Braves took a 1-0 lead. A two-run home run by Ender Inciarte and an important 9th inning pinch-hit RBI single by Preston Tucker put the Braves up 4-0.
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A Late Fish Run
Things did get interesting, however, as Jesse Biddle surrendered two singles – the second coming on a grounder to deep short that Johan Camargo inexplicably failed to throw to second base.
Brian Snitker then switched off to closer Arodys Vizcaino, but he gave up a long home run to Justin Bour, shortening the lead to 4-3.
With the bases cleared, he then retired the final two batters for his seventh save of the season, and pushed the Braves to a 24-15 record. This win gives them 10 victories of their last 11 on the road; 16-8 overall.
Pitching Wins the Day
Newcomb gave up just 1 hit, but until the 9th, the bullpen held the Marlins to goose eggs. Of most importance perhaps, was their lack of walks. Shutdown innings in the 7th and 8th by Sam Freeman and Dan Winkler extended the effort by Newcomb.
- F. Freeman: 1 for 3, run scored
- N. Markakis: 1 for 4, RBI
- R. Acuna: 1 for 2, run scored, 2 walks
- E. Inciarte: 2 for 4, run, 2 RBI
- P. Tucker: PH RBI, 1 for 1
Next: Don't follow everyone over the cliff
Atlanta will take the division lead into a series with the Chicago Cubs (21-15) on Monday as Julio Teheran looks to continue his own recent hot streak against Jose Quintana.