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Prado helps Braves nip Marlins in 11; Uggla hit streak at 30

Aug 10, 2011 - 6:18 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Martin Prado went 4-for-6 with three RBI, including the game-winning single in the 11th inning, and Dan Uggla extended his hitting streak to 30 games in Atlanta's 4-3 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Edward Mujica (8-4) walked pinch-hitter Eric Hinske leading off the 11th inning. Jason Heyward, celebrating his 22nd birthday Tuesday, came in as a pinch-runner, but was picked off. Michael Bourn made it to second on a double to right despite falling down after rounding first base. Prado then grounded a hit into right field. Mike Stanton's throw home was air-mailed and hit the backstop.

George Sherrill (3-1) pitched the 10th to earn the win. Craig Kimbrel recorded his 36th save by getting Mike Cameron to hit into a double play to end the game.

Prado homered with one out in the fifth to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead. After Freddie Freeman grounded out back to pitcher Clay Hensley, Uggla hit a ball deep in the hole between second and third. Shortstop Emilio Bonifacio's throw to first was on a bounce and late and Uggla moved within one game of Atlanta's all-time record for longest hitting streak.

"I think the loudest cheer of the night is when he beat out that ball, in our dugout," Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said. "I think we were all too tired to cheer in the 10th or 11th. When he got that hit the whole dugout erupted."

Uggla's hit moved him past Rowland Office (1976) into second place on Atlanta's all-time list best hitting streak, with only Rico Carty (1970) standing in the way at 31 games. Tommy Holmes has the longest hitting streak in Braves history with a 37-game stretch in 1945 when the franchise was located in Boston.

The 30-game run by Uggla is tied for the best in the majors this season, first set by Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier.

The Braves, who lead the National League wild card race, have won three in a row and five of their last six games.

John Buck tied the contest with a three-run homer in the seventh inning, but the Marlins suffered their sixth straight defeat.

Braves starter Brandon Beachy struck out 10 over 6 2/3 innings, while Hensley gave up eight hits over 5 2/3 frames.

Bourn walked with the bases full in the second inning, but the Braves failed to tack on runs in that frame or the sixth after Prado's RBI base hit. Micahel Dunn hit Freeman with a pitch to load the bases with two down in the sixth, but Brian Sanches fanned Uggla to end the frame.

Buck's 13th homer of the season came off Anthony Varvaro, but Florida failed with a the bases full and one out in the eighth when Eric O'Flaherty fanned both Logan Morrison and Cameron.

"We couldn't put the ball in play," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "They got the ground ball single to put them ahead."

Game Notes

Braves starter Tommy Hanson returned to Atlanta to have his pitching shoulder examined, and he's expected to miss a turn in the rotation this week...Atlanta has won nine of its 11 meetings with the Marlins this season...The Braves left 12 men on base.