Recap: Florida vs. Atlanta
Sports Network | September 01, 2008
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - John Baker hit a game-winning sacrifice fly in the ninth to give the Florida Marlins a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game set. Jorge Cantu jacked a two-run home run while Luis Gonzalez doubled in the Marlins' other run. Matt Lindstrom (3-2) got the win after pitching the top of the ninth for Florida, which has won two of three. Josh Johnson pitched well in a six-inning start, giving up three runs on nine hits without walking a batter while fanning eight. Josh Anderson had three hits and an RBI while Brandon Jones went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and an RBI for Atlanta, which was coming off a three- game sweep at the hands of the Nationals. Starter Mike Hampton was able to match Josh Johnson over six frames, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts but was also saddled with the no-decision. Mike Gonzalez (0-1) entered in the ninth for Atlanta and issued a leadoff walk to Dan Uggla, who moved to second on a sacrifice from Josh Willingham. Gonzalez then intentionally walked Cody Ross before unintentionally walking Wes Helms to load the bases, setting up Baker's game-winning sac fly to left. Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on Cantu's two-out, two-run blast deep into the left-field seats. Hanley Ramirez drew a leadoff walk prior to Cantu's at-bat. Atlanta cut the lead to one in the second as Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson started things with back-to-back singles before Brandon Jones lined a run- scoring single to left two batters later. The Marlins got the run back in the third when Paul Lo Duca and Luis Gonzalez led off with consecutive doubles. The Braves then tied the game with a pair of runs in the fifth. Brandon Jones doubled to center, moved to third on a single from Hampton and came home when Anderson roped a single to center. Chipper Jones plated Hampton two batters later with a single back through the middle. Jeff Francoeur started the ninth with a single off the newly inserted Lindstrom, moved to second on a sacrifice and to third on a two-out infield single from Anderson that deflected off Lindstrom. However, Martin Prado stranded the runner with a pop-up to short to end the threat. Game Notes Atlanta leads the season series 9-7...Chipper Jones extended his hitting streak to nine games with an RBI single in the fifth...The Braves activated first baseman Casey Kotchman from the restricted list and activated infielder Ruben Gotay from the 15-day disabled list Monday. The team also announced a host of moves Sunday that will occur prior to Tuesday's game against Florida. The Braves will purchase the contracts of catcher Corky Miller and pitchers Jorge Julio and James Parr from Triple-A Richmond, while pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Ridgway will be recalled from Richmond along with infielder Brent Lillibridge. Morton will make Tuesday's start against the Marlins. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves will transfer outfielder Matt Diaz and right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano, both done for the season, from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list. Game Notes Atlanta leads the season series 9-7...Chipper Jones extended his hitting streak to nine games with an RBI single in the fifth...The Braves activated first baseman Casey Kotchman from the restricted list and activated infielder Ruben Gotay from the 15-day disabled list Monday. The team also announced a host of moves Sunday that will occur prior to Tuesday's game against Florida. The Braves will purchase the contracts of catcher Corky Miller and pitchers Jorge Julio and James Parr from Triple-A Richmond, while pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Ridgway will be recalled from Richmond along with infielder Brent Lillibridge. Morton will make Tuesday's start against the Marlins. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves will transfer outfielder Matt Diaz and right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano, both done for the season, from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list.
