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Late outburst seals Braves' victory over Marlins

Apr 25, 2007 - 4:06 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves scored a lot of runs early and a lot of runs late.

Jeff Francoeur and Scott Thorman each had three hits and two RBI as the Braves outslugged the Florida Marlins, 11-6, on Tuesday.

Brian McCann and Pete Orr also drove in two runs for the Braves, who scored four runs in the first inning and padded their lead with four runs in the ninth. The Braves tallied 10 of their 11 runs with two outs.

"It was a night for hitters to step up," McCann said. "Some nights you have solid pitching but on some nights you have to have the hitters come through, and tonight we did that."

Francoeur, who had four hits on Monday against Florida, leads the National League with 24 RBI.

"It was a crazy game," Francoeur said. "I turned to (second base umpire) Tim McClelland after the first inning and told him we might have a game where both teams score 30 runs. Seriously, I did know that we would settle down, but sometimes you have to keep coming up with hits to win ballgames."

Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan (1-0) earned his first career win after starter Mark Redman allowed six runs over the first three innings. Moylan pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and a walk while striking out three.

"It's great to get the first win, and hopefully it won't be the last," Moylan said. "The guys kept a ball for me so I can take it home and put it on the mantelpiece."

Matt Lindstrom (0-1) took the loss, yielding one run, one hit and two walks in one inning, although starter Rick Vanden Hurk allowed most of the damage.

The Braves touched up Vanden Hurk in the first inning, scoring four runs with two outs. Andruw Jones sparked the rally with an RBI single. Following a single by Brian McCann, Francoeur doubled to plate Jones. Thorman capped the rally with a single that scored McCann and Jones.

It didn't take the Marlins long to get back in the game.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Miguel Cabrera singled home Hanley Ramirez, who had doubled to lead off the frame. After the second out of the inning was recorded, Aaron Boone singled as Cabrera advanced to third. Cody Ross followed with a three-run home run to left field, knotting the game at 4-4.

Vanden Hurk fared no better in the second inning, walking the bases loaded without recording an out. Lee Gardner replaced Vanden Hurk at that point and got Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones to fly out with no advance from the runners. However, Gardner walked McCann to force in a run and Francoeur singled to give Atlanta a 6-4 lead. Thorman grounded out to end the inning.

Vanden Hurk, who allowed six runs, four hits and four walks while striking out two, was optioned to Class AA Carolina following the game.

Ross brought the Marlins back again in the bottom of the third.

With one out, Josh Willingham singled and Aaron Boone was hit by a pitch. Ross then drove in his fourth and fifth runs of the game with a double off the left field wall that tied it at 6-6. The Marlins' center fielder narrowly missed his second home run of the game earlier in the at-bat, hitting a deep fly that curved just outside the left field foul pole.

Lindstrom started the top of the sixth for the Marlins and immediately got into trouble. After a leadoff walk to Kelly Johnson, the righthander allowed a single to Edgar Renteria. With one out, Andruw Jones walked to load the bases. The Braves took a 7-6 lead on McCann's sacrifice fly, but were unable to push across any insurance runs as Francoeur struck out to end the frame.

Randy Messenger started the ninth inning for the Marlins and recorded two outs before collapsing. The Braves loaded the bases on two hits and an intentional walk. Pete Orr lined a 3-2 pitch into right field to plate Francoeur and Thorman. Johnson followed with a single to score Ryan Langerhans, and the lead swelled to 11-6 when Renteria singled in Orr.

"They had plenty of two-out hits and it's something you don't teach," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's a pretty darned good lineup they have over there."

Ramirez finished with three hits for the Marlins and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

After Moylan kept the Marlins in check through the middle innings, Tyler Yates, Rafael Soriano and Bob Wickman combined to toss three scoreless innings off relief.

"There's no way we do that last year," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "This kind of game wouldn't have worked out for us. But this year we've won four or five games because of our bullpen."