• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Uggla extends hitting streak; Braves down Marlins

Aug 11, 2011 - 4:30 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Braves second baseman Dan Uggla wasted no time tying the all-time Atlanta record for longest hitting streak.

Uggla stretched his run to 31 games by lining the first pitch he saw Wednesday night up the middle for a two-run single in the first inning, part of a 6-2 win over the Florida Marlins to complete a three-game sweep.

Michael Bourn and Martin Prado singled to start the game and Eric Hinske grounded out to put two in scoring position. Uggla then lined a first offering from Anibal Sanchez (6-6) into center field.

The 31-game run moved Uggla into a tie with Rico Carty (1970) for longest hitting streak in Atlanta history. Tommy Holmes has the longest hitting streak in Braves annals with a 37-game stretch in 1945 when the franchise was located in Boston.

"It's a cool thing," Uggla said. "This is an awesome organization and to have some kind of record...it's real special."

Uggla now has the longest hitting streak in the majors this season, eclipsing the 30-gamer by Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier.

Uggla, who also singled in the second and ninth innings, is batting just .224 this season. During the streak, which dates to July 5, he's hitting .355 with 29 RBI.

The strong offensive effort backed Tim Hudson (12-7), who won his third straight start by fanning seven over 7 1/3 innings. Hudson, who has gone 7-1 over his last 10 starts, moved to 11-4 lifetime against the Marlins.

"We got to this point because our pitching has been really, really good," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "

Hinske doubled in two runs and Jose Constanza had three hits for the National League wild card leaders, who won their fourth straight and moved a season- high 20 games over .500 (69-49). Yet, they're still 8 1/2 games behind NL East-leading Philadelphia.

Sanchez, who was lifted with two outs in the second inning, had his shortest outing of the season. The righty, who was charged with seven hits and five runs, fell to 0-5 over his last 11 starts and hasn't won since June 10 against Arizona.

Hudson singled in a run in the second and scored on Hinske's double to right- center field. Burke Badenhop then relieved Sanchez.

"Our starting pitching has to get tough," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "We cannot keep battling back, fighting an uphill battle, four or five runs, every two or three innings at the beginning of the ball game. It's not going to work."

David Ross scored on a Badenhop wild pitch in the third.

The Marlins, losers of seven in a row, finally broke the shutout on Logan Morrison's homer leading off the eighth. John Buck scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Alfredo Amezaga later in the inning.

"It worked out for the most part in that eighth inning," Hudson said. "They started catching up to me a little bit. It's a nice lead, it's a good win for us."

Highly-regarded Braves prospect Arodys Vizcaino, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett Wednesday, loaded the bases in the ninth inning. The 20- year-old right-hander was removed in favor of Jonny Venters, who fanned pinch- hitter Brett Hayes to end the game. Venters recorded his fourth save of the year.

Game Notes

Uggla has the longest single-season hitting streak in the majors since 2006 when Phillies second baseman Chase Utley had a 35-gamer...Earlier Wednesday, the Braves released veteran reliever Scott Proctor to make room for Vizcaino...Hudson is 7-1 on the road vs. Florida...Atlanta has won nine of its 12 meetings with the Marlins this season. In those 12 games, the Marlins offense has posted just a .198 average (77-for-388)...Atlanta is also 6-0 this season at Sun Life Stadium.