MIAMI - Nick Markakis drove in three runs, and five pitchers combined on a two-hitter Sunday afternoon to help the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 4-0 and tighten the National League East Division race.
Atlanta took two of three games from first-place Miami and trails by only percentage points in the standings. The Braves haven't lost a series to the Marlins since 2017 and are 31-10 against them the past three seasons.
"Our mindset is the same with everybody," Markakis said. "It doesn't matter who we're playing. But division games are extremely important."
Markakis had two hits and improved his average to .323. The 36-year-old outfielder originally opted out of Major League Baseball's shortened season because of coronavirus concerns, then changed his mind after the Braves had played five games
"Just having him here makes me feel better and more at ease," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "He'll do anything. He's just good to have around. He's kind of like my security blanket."
A sixth-inning RBI single by Markakis off Nick Vincent (1-1) produced the game's first run. The Braves added three runs in the seventh after their first two batters were retired as Marcell Ozuna drew a bases-loaded walk and a two-run double by Markakis made it 4-0.
"I'm here to help out and win as many games as I can," Markakis said. "My team got me in position where I could drive in some runs today, and it worked out."
Dansby Swanson had two hits and scored twice for the Braves, who won despite striking out 16 times.
Atlanta's Robbie Erlin, making his first start of the year, allowed only one baserunner in four innings.
"He's a strike thrower who can change speeds," Snitker said. "He's got a little funky delivery. His ability to throw the ball over the plate is so refreshing here."
Darren O'Day (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings to highlight the latest strong effort by the Braves' relief corps.
"The bullpen has been great," Erlin said. "There's so much experience. Every time the phone rings, everybody is ready to go."
Two of Miami's three baserunners were erased on double plays.
Seeking more punch from a Braves lineup without injured young stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, Snitker moved Freddie Freeman up to the No. 2 spot. It was the first time the veteran first baseman had hit there since 2011, and he went 1-for-4.
Snitker said he likes the lineup because, with the designated hitter available even for NL teams this year, the No. 2 spot doesn't come two batters after the pitcher.
"It's something I may explore more," Snitker said. "Freddie came up in some big spots today. With the DH thing, going forward it may not be a bad thing."
Ozuna, the former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder on a one-year deal in Atlanta, went 1-2 with two walks and an RBI from the DH spot while playing against the team he broke into the majors with seven years ago.
However, the Braves mustered only three hits against Miami starter Elieser Hernandez, who struck out nine batters in five innings.
"Anytime you get good pitching, you'd like to be able to put some runs on the board for him,"said Marlins manager Don Mattingly, who was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing about umpire James Hoye's strike zone.
Eighteen players who went on the injured list after the Marlins' coronavirus outbreak have reported to the team's spring training site in nearby Jupiter to begin workouts. The group includes starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Jose Ureña, catcher Jorge Alfaro and shortstop Miguel Rojas.
It's unlikely any of the players will be activated before the next homestand, which starts Aug. 28.
The Braves open a three-game series at home against the 2019 World Series champions on Monday, when Touki Toussaint (0-1, 7.27 ERA) will start for Atlanta and the Washington Nationals will counter with Aníbal Sánchez (0-3, 9.69 ERA).