The Marlins won the battle of the bullpens by scoring the winning run in the seventh inning, taking the game, 6-5, and the series.
The two teams totaled seven runs in the first inning, with the Braves ahead 4-3. Chipper Jones singled in a run and Brian McCann hit three-run home run to put them ahead. But the Marlins came back with the tying run in the second on a RBI single by Hanley Ramirez. They added another in the third on a solo homer by Gaby Sanchez.
The Braves came back to tie the score at four in the fourth on a solo homer by Dan Uggla, his first against his old team. Atlanta's big chance to take the lead came in the sixth when they loaded the bases with two outs for pinch hitter Brooks Conrad. However, he hit a liner to center field that was snagged on a diving catch by Chris Coghlan to preserve the tie.
Florida took advantage in the seventh with the eventual winning run on a RBI single by John Buck. Fredi Gonzalez chose to remain with left-hander Eric O'Flaherty despite facing three straight right-handed batters, all of which received singles.
Brandon Beachy had a rough outing, allowing five runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings, walking four and striking out eight. Beachy fought control issues that came back to bite him two of the four times on the walks, not to mention the two doubles and one home run allowed. It is a second straight below average start for Beachy, but he did show the strikeouts are still there.
Ricky Nolasco didn't fare much better for the Marlins, allowing five runs on six hits in six innings, walking one and striking out four. He was pulled after just 70 pitches, but Edwin Rodriguez attempted to go the lefty-lefty route with Randy Choate against McCann, which backfired with a single and eventually the bases loaded. It didn't help that Nolasco allowed a double and two homers.
McCann went 2-4 with a homer and three RBI. Chipper and Uggla each had one RBI, Uggla's on a homer. Freddie Freeman added a double and walk, and Jason Heyward recorded two walks for a total of 11 on the season.
Sanchez went 2-5 with a home run and RBI for the Fish. Ramirez went 3-3 with a RBI and two walks. Morrison picked up two RBI, Stanton had one with a double and Buck recorded the big RBI in the seventh.
Brian Sanches, Mike Dunn and Clay Hensley combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Nolasco. Leo Nunez pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
Behind Beachy, Peter Moylan got the final two outs in the sixth. O'Flaherty allowed the winning run in the seventh on three singles. Scott Linebrink finished his inning with two outs. Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel each pitched a scoreless inning, both striking out two.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Marlins fans check out Fish Stripes.