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VandenHurk stars as Marlins bop Braves

Jul 23, 2008 - 2:55 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Rick VandenHurk pitched five hitless innings before being pulled and the Florida Marlins went on to allow just one hit in blanking the Atlanta Braves, 4-0, on Tuesday.

VandenHurk (1-1) threw 94 pitches, striking out seven and walking five before coming out of the game following his sacrifice in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Making his first start since April 6, VandenHurk got into a jam in the fourth inning, when he walked the first three batters. He escaped by striking out Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson before getting Mark Kotsay to pop out.

"I'm very happy about (my performance)," VandenHurk said. "The most important thing was that we got the win. I just had to make sure I attacked the strike zone. I got away from that in the fourth, but I got back to pounding the strike zone."

Joe Nelson relieved to start the sixth and Chipper Jones promptly singled to end the no-hitter. Renyel Pinto struck out three in two innings before Matt Lindstrom came on to toss a perfect ninth.

"I'm happier it was Chipper than anybody else," Nelson said. "He's a pretty good hitter, I'll give him that."

It was the first one-hitter for the Marlins since Dontrelle Willis accomplished the feat on June 16, 2003 against the New York Mets. Anibal Sanchez threw a no-hitter against Arizona on September 6, 2006.

"Vandy gave us five innings, and then the bullpen pieced it together the rest of the way," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Jorge Cantu and All-Star Dan Uggla each walked in the fourth before Mike Jacobs belted his 20th homer, depositing an 0-1 changeup into the right field bleachers to give the Marlins a 3-0 lead. The blast was Florida's first hit of the game off Atlanta starter Charlie Morton (2-3).

"What set it up was two really good at-bats by Cantu and Uggla," Jacobs said. "I was able to get a pitch I could handle. I definitely don't think I'm a .240 hitter. I know the power has been there, and so have the RBI, but it feels good to help the guys out."

Morton pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and two hits. He struck out five and walked four.

"It was just one pitch that cost the game," Morton said. "When I grade myself, I take it as a loss, and I didn't pitch well enough to win."