Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran delivers to the plate during Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins. Teheran gave up two hits in six innings and evened his record at 4-4 as the Braves won 1-0.MIAMI – Rookie slugger Austin Riley and his Atlanta Braves teammates made the most of their few hits Saturday afternoon, thanks to starting pitcher Julio Teheran and a trio of relievers.
Teheran threw six sharp innings and Riley scored to lead the Braves to a 1-0 win against the Miami Marlins.
Riley gave extra effort for a leadoff double in the seventh inning against Trevor Richards. Riley’s hard grounder glanced off the glove of shortstop Miguel Rojas and rolled into the outfield.
Atlanta Braves rookie Austin Riley is congratulated by teammate Nick Markakis, right, and manager Brian Snitker after Riley scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Flowers during the seventh inning of the team’s game against the host Miami Marlins on Saturday.“I just hustled,” Riley said, “and then once I saw it get through, I maybe knew I had a chance and heard ‘Go, go, go, go,’ and I was going.”
Riley took third on a fly ball and scored on Tyler Flowers’ sacrifice fly.
The Braves won despite getting only three hits and improved to 5-0 this season at Marlins Park. Atlanta had outscored the Marlins 26-6 in the previous four wins in Miami.
Miami, shut out for the 11th time this season, had just four hits.
Teheran (4-4), who gave up two hits and struck out five batters, has not allowed more than one earned run in each of his past seven starts.
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Teheran “was great again. I’m just glad we got him a win he was awesome.”
Teheran focused on being effective when the Marlins threatened in the third and sixth innings.
“I know there were a couple of situations where I got runners on bases, but I keep my faith,” Teheran said. “That was something big, and I was happy that I got the win obviously.”
Luke Jackson recorded four outs for his ninth save this year. With two outs and runners at the corners in the eighth, Miami’s Brian Anderson hit a slow roller to third base and was out in a close play. A replay confirmed the call.
Richards (3-6) gave up two hits in seven innings. He had won three straight decisions and took his first loss since starting the season 0-5.
“I think I’ve been able to attack the hitters a little bit better and locate better,” said Richards, who did not allow a hit until Freddie Freeman singled with two outs in the sixth inning.
Miami manager Don Mattingly was impressed with his starter, who needed only 15 pitches over the first two innings against a potent lineup.
“I thought he did a really nice job with that club,” Mattingly said. “It’s all about us getting that key out or that key hit, and today we just weren’t able to do it.”