The Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 4-0 on Sunday to win the series and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The Marlins are chasing the Braves and two other teams for the second Wild Card spot in the National League. The victory moved Miami within four games of the spot with 21 games to play on the year.
Brad Hand turned in one of his finer starts as a big leaguer with six shutout innings of work. Hand allowed five hits while walking none and striking out three. Those control numbers are significant as Hand has famously struggled with his command in his time as a major leaguer.
The win improved Hand to 3-6 on the season and he will likely finish the year as a member of the starting rotation.
Chris Hatcher, Mike Dunn and A.J. Ramos each saw action in the game and combined for three shutout innings to preserve the win for Hand and Miami. The relievers all held Atlanta hitless in fact and only walked one.
The big inning offensively for Miami came in the sixth when it put three runs on the board. Jarrod Saltalamacchia who singled home a run an inning earlier added another on a sacrifice fly. Marcell Ozuna's 25th double of the season produced a run in the inning as well.
Christian Yelich who extended his hitting streak to ten games had a two-hit day and also scored a run. In his first full season as a big leaguer, Yelich is now hitting .294 and has been an significant part of the offense for Miami.
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The Marlins will begin a big four-game series in Milwaukee on Monday. Brad Penny will be handed the ball to make the start against a Brewers team that sits ahead of the Marlins in the Wild Card standings.
