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Fernandez shines as Marlins blank Braves

Apr 30, 2014 - 6:56 AM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jose Fernandez likes pitching against Atlanta.

Fernandez dazzled once again in his second straight start versus the National League East-leading Braves, tossing eight scoreless innings in the Miami Marlins' 9-0 win in the opener of a three-game set.

The reigning NL Rookie of the Year allowed just two hits while striking out eight to help Miami win its fourth straight home tilt. He was coming off the best outing of his career, when he fanned a career-best 14 Braves in a 1-0 win on April 22. Fernandez (4-1) hasn't allowed an earned run since a loss against the Phillies on April 11.

"We needed him to go out there and log some big innings, and that's back-to- back great starts against a great offensive team," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said of Fernandez.

In four career starts against Atlanta, Fernandez has surrendered just three runs on 13 hits with 35 strikeouts in 29 innings.

"Not everybody is Cy Young, and you still have to beat Cy Young every once in a while," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Ed Lucas went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in his season debut. The Marlins utilityman returned to the majors on Tuesday after breaking his left hand during spring training. Giancarlo Stanton and Jarrod Saltalamacchia both homered and Marcell Ozuna drove in a pair.

Alex Wood (2-4) was charged with seven runs on 10 hits over five-plus innings for Atlanta.

The Braves threatened to break their drought against Fernandez with two away in the top of the third inning. Tyler Pastornicky drew a walk and Jason Heyward doubled to right to put runners on second and third for Ramiro Pena, who dribbled a soft grounder back to the mound. Fernandez secured the grounder and faked a throw to first, prompting Pastornicky to try and take home. Fernandez flipped to Saltalamacchia, who tagged a sliding Pastornicky on the back just before he touched the plate.

Wood retired the first two hitters in the home half of the third but then ran into trouble, as Christian Yelich tripled to the wall in center to start a two-out rally. Lucas singled Yelich home and Stanton took a 1-0 offering out to right to make it 3-0.

Wood faced four batters in the sixth without recording an out before giving way to the bullpen. Casey McGehee drew a leadoff walk, Saltalamacchia doubled and Ozuna plated two with his single to center. Jeff Baker then singled to chase Wood from the contest.

Three more runs came across with Anthony Varvaro on the hill before an out was recorded in the inning. Adeiny Hechavarria doubled in a run, Fernandez helped himself with an RBI single and Yelich grounded out to second, allowing Hechavarria to score.

Saltalamacchia's solo homer in the seventh made it 9-0.

Fernandez, meanwhile, looked like he could have pitched eight more innings. He retired the side in order in his final three frames on the hill, fanning the side in the eighth. Carlos Marmol finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

Game Notes

The loss snaps Atlanta's four-game winning streak ... The Braves took 2-of-3 from the Marlins on April 21-23 ... Miami hit 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while Atlanta finished 0-for-3 ... Game time: 2:07.