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Medlen masterful as Braves blank Marlins

Sep 20, 2012 - 5:31 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Kris Medlen spun eight shutout innings to guide the Atlanta Braves to a 3-0 triumph over the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game set at Marlins Park.

Medlen (9-1) scattered four hits and struck out six to earn his eighth straight winning decision.

The Braves have won 21 consecutive games that Medlen started dating back to 2010. The last team to win 21 straight starts by one pitcher was the New York Yankees, who won 22 straight Whitey Ford starts in 1950 and 1953. Ford missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons for military service.

"I felt good. I didn't have that two-seamer coming back to lefties, I was kind of pulling a little bit," Medlen said. "Overall I felt great. I was trying to get a feel for the game, trying to see if they were going to be aggressive, or patient. I don't know I kind of just mixed and matched."

Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Jose Constanza each drove in a run for the Braves, who trail the Washington Nationals by 5 games in the NL-East, but hold a 6 1/2 game advantage for the top wild card spot.

Josh Johnson (8-13) surrendered all three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings to absorb the loss.

"The first three innings it was all over the place," Johnson said. "They were just fouling balls off and getting deep in their counts. I was getting guys down 0-2 or 1-2 and letting them back in. I can't do that."

Rob Brantly doubled, while Greg Dobbs and Gorkys Hernandez tallied one hit apiece for the Marlins, losers in three of four.

The Braves scored a run in each of the first three innings.

Michael Bourn opened the game with a double before moving to third on Martin Prado's sacrifice bunt. Heyward followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Bourn.

In the second, Dan Uggla walked then stole second base before scoring on Constanza's base hit to right-center field.

Prado scored on Freeman's sacrifice double-play in the third inning. With Prado on third, Freeman lifted a flyball to Bryan Petersen in left field. Petersen fired it in to Donovan Solano who threw to first to double-off Chipper Jones. Prado, however, scored on the play before the Marlins were able to record the final out.

The Marlins put two runners on in the ninth with one out, but Craig Kimbrel induced consecutive groundouts to nail down his NL-leading 38th save.

"It was a big win for us, especially after last night, in a game we didn't hit particularly well, at least until the ninth," Jones said. "We let that one slip away, so it was good to get the series win against (Johnson) and the Marlins."

Game Notes

Jones tallied his 2,721st career hit to tie him with Lou Gehrig for 58th place on the all-time hits list ... Medlen is 14-2 over 27-career starts ... Johnson is 6-5 with a 3.93 earned run average over 19 appearances -- 18 starts -- against the Braves ... Miami finished the game 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.