Alex Gonzalez powers Atlanta Braves to 4-1 win over Florida Marlins – MLB Update
Alex Gonzalez smashed a three-run home-run to hand Atlanta Braves a 4-1 victory over the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, September 14 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Braves had lost the first game of the series but came back strongly to win the next two games and cement their standing atop the Wild Card standings.
Ricky Nolasco provided the Marlins with a quality start to keep the Braves at bay till the sixth inning. However, a seventh inning outbreak saw the Braves unglue Nolasco for four runs, subsequently registering a three-run lead over the visitors.
Marlins got off to a flyer with Greg Dobbs unleashing his arms in the second inning to give the visitors a one-run advantage over the Braves and a hope to produce a positive result in the decisive rubber. They did succeed in accomplishing their aim but Gonzalez
alone was enough to turn the tide for Atlanta.
Dobbs’ hit was the only scoring opportunity for the Marlins. Randall Delgado did well to revamp after being smashed for a home-run and the relief pitchers were content with their task of halting the flow of hits. Delgado’s five-inning spell allowed the Marlins
to produce four hits and thereon, the visitors failed to produce a single hit.
Eric O’Flaherty won his second game of the season after a magical spell before Jonny Venters held his 32nd game after a mesmerising eighth inning. Craig Kimbrel has been, by far, the best closer on the circuit this season and was in top form here
as well, saving his 44th chance with a perfect display of depth-pitching.
Dan Uggla broke the run-drought for Atlanta in the seventh inning to bring the game in balance before Gonzalez hammered a 362 feet home-run towards left flank to impose a three-run lead on the struggling Marlins. Brian McCann and Martin Prado scored a run
each on Gonzalez’s hit to complete the order for the night.
Gonzalez outplayed pressure to have taken a toll on him and said, "You have to leave it outside. You have to do your job. This time of the season, for me, pressure doesn't work."
The Braves won the three-game series 2-1 and are now 4.5 games ahead in the Wild Card race.
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