Braves vs. Marlins Score: Paul Maholm, Martin Prado lead Atlanta to 3-0 shutout win

The Atlanta Braves continued their winning ways against the Marlins on Wednesday night, riding a solid performance from Paul Maholm to a 3-0 win. The club keeps pace in the National League East and awaits a final decision out of Philadelphia, where the Nationals lead late. Atlanta trailed Washington by four games at the start of the day.

Maholm worked 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits without walking anyone. He struck out six and picked up his 13th win of the season. Josh Johnson started for the Marlins and pitched well, although he lacked control in the early going with five walks. Johnson is now 8-14 this year with a 3.81 ERA.

Martin Prado got things going in the first inning with a solo home run to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Prado singled home another run with a line drive to right in the third frame to push the lead to 2-0.

With Maholm at the plate with two on and one out, Johnson delivered a wild pitch on a pitch-out attempt. Dan Uggla came in from third to score, giving the Braves a 3-0 lead they would not relinquish.

Eric O'Flaherty worked a perfect eighth inning. Craig Kimbrel struck out four in the ninth inning; Brian McCann was unable to field a strike-three pitch to Donovan Solano that bounced to the screen. Nonetheless, Kimbrel recorded his 40th save and dropped his ERA to 1.04.