Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ben Sheets (30) works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Atlanta, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012.Kris Medlen had a successful return to the starting rotation, Brian McCann homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 7-1 on Tuesday night for their seventh straight win.
Atlanta has won 10 of 13 to close within 21/2 games of first-place Washington in the National League East following the Nationals' 8-0 loss to Philadelphia.
Earlier in the day, the Braves put starter Tommy Hanson on the 15-day disabled list. Rhea County's Cory Gearrin was recalled from Gwinnett.
Rain delayed the game 1 hour, 53 minutes before the start of the sixth inning.
Medlen (2-1) allowed four hits, one run and one walk with three strikeouts in five innings. He made his first start since a no-decision in an 8-3 win over the New York Mets on Aug. 4, 2010.
McCann's 18th homer, a solo shot, gave the Braves a 4-1 lead in the third. In his last 19 games, McCann has nine homers and 20 RBIs.
Ricky Nolasco (8-10) gave up seven hits, four runs and four walks and struck out six in five innings. He has lost four straight starts and has a 7.48 ERA in that span.
Atlanta rookie Tyler Pastornicky hit his first career pinch-hit homer and his second this year off Dan Jennings to make it 5-1 in the sixth. After second baseman Emilio Bonifacio's fielding error, Jason Heyward hit an RBI single for a 6-1 lead.
Gearrin, Chad Durbin, Eric O'Flaherty and Jair Jurrjens combined to allow the Marlins three hits and no walks in the last four innings. Atlanta's bullpen has a 1.92 ERA in the last 24 games.