Marlins beat Braves to gain ground in NL East

AP photo by John Amis / Miami's Migual Rojas follows through on a go-ahead one-run double to center field during the 10th inning of the Marlins' game against the host Atlanta Braves on Monday.
AP photo by John Amis / Miami's Migual Rojas follows through on a go-ahead one-run double to center field during the 10th inning of the Marlins' game against the host Atlanta Braves on Monday.

ATLANTA - Miguel Rojas had four hits, including a go-ahead double in the 10th inning, as the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Monday.

Pinch-hitter Adam Duvall led off the ninth with a tying homer off Brandon Kintzler (2-3), the closer's second blown save in 11 chances this year. Atlanta loaded the bases on Dansby Swanson's double and a pair of intentional walks before Travis d'Arnaud grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Garrett Cooper opened the 10th as Miami's designated runner at second and advanced on Jon Berti's sacrifice. A.J. Minter (1-1) intentionally walked pinch-hitter Brian Anderson, and Rojas doubled to right-center.

"Miggy has been like this the last couple of years, just growing and growing," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

Nick Vincent got three straight outs for his third save of the season.

Rojas tied his MLB career high with four hits and drove in two runs in a game he said was important for the Marlins' playoff hopes.

Atlanta's lead in the National League East Division was cut to two games over second-place Philadelphia, while the third-place Marlins are 2 1/2 games behind the Phillies.

"I feel like there's a streak in there somewhere for us," Mattingly said. "I feel like we could get hot and win six of eight."

Miami's José Ureña allowed three runs in five innings in his season debut. He had been out with COVID-19.

Miami took a 4-3 lead off Robbie Erlin in the fourth on RBI singles by Starling Marté and Jesús Aguilar.

Braves rookie Ian Anderson, who allowed only three runs in his first three starts, lasted only three innings.

Anderson was hurt by four walks and also was wild on his high throw to first after fielding a weak grounder by Jazz Chisholm opening the second. After the throwing error, Chisholm scored on Rojas' double.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said Anderson's error "kind of rattled him a little bit" and the rookie agreed.

"I should have been able to just lock back in and refocus a little bit quicker, and it didn't happen," Anderson said.

There were heightened tensions when Ureña hit Ronald Acuña Jr. with a 95 mph sinker in the fourth; Ureña hit Acuña with a 97 mph fastball in 2018.

After being hit on the guard which protects his left elbow, Acuña took a first step toward the midpoint between the mound and first base. With plate umpire Junior Valentine and catcher Jorge Alfaro escorting him for a few steps, Acuña then slowly walked to first base. Valentine warned both benches, and Acuña stole second before Ureña picked him off.

"The warnings are from the history, I believe," Mattingly said. "I really believe that Snitker and the Braves know that was not intentional. It wasn't."

Ureña said he has to pitch inside against Acuña.

"I've got to do my job," Ureña said. "For me, that is a weak spot for him and a stronger spot for me. ... I can't give him the inside plate. I have to challenge him."

Atlanta's Nick Markakis hit into a double play that ended the first inning, went 0-for-5 and is hitless in 24 at-bats in September, dropping his average to .259 after a sizzling .368 in August.

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