McCann's homer leads Braves over Marlins

By David O’Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Braves withstood two injury scares early, then had their stomachs tested late before Brian McCann’s three-run homer in the 10th inning gave them a thrilling, 6-3 win against Florida on Thursday night.

They blew a late two-run lead and failed to reward another strong performance by Javier Vazquez, but the Braves salvaged a win and averted a series sweep after McCann launched one into the right-center seats at Land Shark Stadium.

“It’s great to come out of here with a win,” said McCann, who was 0-for-16 against the Marlins this season before going 3-for-5 with two doubles and his 12th homer, a day after being ejected from a temper-flaring loss.

He homered on a 2-2 slider from Luis Ayala after Chipper Jones was walked intentionally.

“It’s Chipper Jones. I would have done the same thing,” said McCann, who called the home run one of his best at-bats of the season.

The Braves notched their ninth win in 14 games since the All-Star break, pulling back within a game of second-place Florida in the National League East.

“It’s a [difference] of being three games behind Florida instead of one now,” manager Bobby Cox said in describing the importance of the win. “You don’t like to blow the lead, but we came right back and won. That was good.”

The night began with two red flags raised, the Braves fearing the worst after shortstop Yunel Escobar and second baseman Martin Prado both got hurt.

Escobar left in the second inning after being hit by a pitch above the right wrist, but X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with just a contusion. He said he expected to return in two or three days.

Prado was struck near the left ankle by a line drive in batting practice and hobbled off. He was also diagnosed with a contusion. “I’m so glad it missed the bone,” said Prado, who scoffed when asked if he might play by Monday.

“Monday?” he said. “Tomorrow, I hope.”

They start a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

The Marlins scored two in the eighth to tie the score and threatened again in the ninth after an error by second baseman Kelly Johnson.

Vazquez was charged with five hits and three runs in 7-1/3 innings, the last of the runs scoring after he turned things over to lefty Mike Gonzalez.

Vazquez had eight strikeouts with one walk and left with a lead, but seemed unconcerned that he got no decision again.

“We got an important win, man,” said the right-hander, who is 8-7 despite a 3.01 ERA and 158 strikeouts with 28 walks in 140-1/3 innings.

He didn’t allow a runner to reach second until the fifth inning, but remained winless (0-4) in his past six starts against the Marlins.

For much of the night, Casey Kotchman’s two-run double in the second looked as if it would be enough. However, Cody Ross led off the eighth with a homer to cut the lead to 3-2, and Vazquez walked Brett Carroll before Gonzalez took over.

Former Brave Wes Helms’ pinch-hit single meant the potential tying and winning runs were on base, and a Gonzalez wild pitch moved them into scoring position.

After Gonzalez’s intentional walk of batting leader Hanley Ramirez loaded the bases, Jorge Cantu hit a slow grounder that Jones tried to bare-hand halfway up the third-base line.

He caught it, but slipped before he could throw. Suddenly the game was tied.