López, Marlins boost playoff hopes by beating Braves 4-2

Jon Berti had three hits, including a two-run double, Pablo López allowed only two hits in five scoreless innings and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 on Thursday night to boost their playoff hopes.

Miami snapped a four-game losing streak. The Marlins (29-28) are competing for a wild-card spot as they try to reach the playoffs for the first time since winning the World Series in 2003.

The Braves ended their four-game winning streak and were denied a chance to clinch the NL's No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Miami Marlins' Chad Wallach celebrates with Starling Marte (6) after scoring on a Jon Berti double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

Dansby Swanson's bases-loaded single off Brandon Kintzler in the eighth drove in two runs. Kintzler worked around a one-out walk to Freddie Freeman in the ninth to earn his sixth save.

The Braves scored a combined 25 runs in winning the first three games of the series. Atlanta committed a season-high four errors.

López (6-4) had six strikeouts and two walks.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (49) delivers in the first Inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

Braves rookie right-hander Ian Anderson (3-2) threw five scoreless innings before giving up three unearned runs in the sixth. Brian Anderson opened the inning with a broken-bat liner. Third baseman Adeiny Hechavarria dropped the liner for an error as the barrel of the bat landed a few feet away.

A single by Garrett Cooper left runners at first and third. Anderson struck out Matt Joyce and Miguel Rojas before Chad Wallach's single to right field drove in Anderson. Berti's two-run double to left field knocked Anderson out of the game.

Jesus Aguilar homered off A.J. Minter in the seventh.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez works against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

After already clinching its third straight division title, Atlanta's focus is on preparing its rotation for the postseason after Max Fried tweaked his left ankle on Wednesday night. Tests on Fried's ankle were negative on Thursday, raising hopes he'll be ready to start Game 1 of the wild-card series.

The Braves will play the full wild-card series at Truist Park, beginning on Wednesday. Manager Brian Snitker said "I think everybody feels it’s a realistic possibility” that Fried will have sufficient time to recover.

Fried’s injury came one day after the Braves learned Cole Hamels is done for the season. He made only one start after battling shoulder issues all year.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson works against the Miami Marlins during the first Inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

The Braves lost No. 1 starter Mike Soroka last month to a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon. Former All-Star Mike Foltynewicz and Sean Newcomb were demoted due to poor performance.

The start of the game was delayed 1 hour, 39 minutes by rain. The long wait helped to avoid rescheduling the game for Monday — the first day after the scheduled end of the regular season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

A tarp covers the infield at Truist Park during a rain shower before the scheduled start of a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

Marlins: RHP Josh Smith was placed on the 10-day IL with fractured nail, ending his season. RHP Nick Neidert was optioned to the team’s alternate training site. OF Magneuris Sierra was reinstated from the 10-day IL and LHP Dan Castano was recalled.

Braves: 3B Austin Riley was held out for the second straight day to rest a minor quadriceps injury. Snitker said Riley said he was ready to play Thursday. Hechavarria committed two errors in his second straight start.

2021 ALL-STAR LOGO UNVEILED

Members of the Atlanta Braves grounds crew work to repair the mound during a rain shower in the fourth inning of a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred unveiled the logo for the 2021 All-Star Game, to be played at Truist Field, in a video presentation before the game.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Miami opens a weekend series at the Yankees on Friday night when RHP Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.12) makes his first start in New York.

Braves: Atlanta opens a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night with RHP Kyle Wright (2-4, 5.74) making his eighth start.

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Kyle Wright had a career-high 11 strikeouts in six dominant innings, Matt Olson doubled in two runs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 3-0 on Friday night.

Wright (2-0) allowed four hits with one walk. The right-hander has a 1.06 ERA after three starts. He set a career high in strikeouts for the second straight start, topping nine in five innings at San Diego on April 15.

The Braves led 1-0 before Olson's seventh-inning double down the right field line off Richard Bleier drove in Dansby Swanson and Eddie Rosario. Rosario reached as a pinch-hitter on Brian Anderson's fielding error.

Miami Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers works against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 22, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBen Margot)

Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his fourth save in four chances.

Wright kept Miami hitters off balance by mixing his pitches. Jazz Chisholm fanned on a 96 mph fastball to lead off the game then struck out — again swinging — on curveballs in the third and sixth innings.

Wright struck out the side in the first and fourth innings.

Miami Marlins' Trevor Rogers pitches to Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 22, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoBen Margot)

Trevor Rogers (0-3) allowed one unearned run on four hits in five innings. The left-hander regrouped after lasting only 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs, in a 10-2 loss to Philadelphia on April 16.

Rogers threw 33 pitches in the first inning and allowed an unearned run following his errant pickoff throw to second base. The ball skipped into center field, allowing Olson to advance to third.

Olson scored when Marcell Ozuna beat out a fielder's choice grounder. Miami unsuccessfully challenged the close play at first base.

Miami Marlins' Jorge Soler tips his helmet to fans as he prepares to bat against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 22, 2022, in Atlanta. Soler was the World Series MVP while playing for the Braves in 2021. (AP PhotoBen Margot)

Wright retired 11 consecutive batters before hitting Garrett Cooper with a one-out fastball in the sixth. Jorge Soler's soft single to shallow center field moved Cooper to third base. Wright's two-out walk to Jesús Sánchez loaded the bases.

Braves manager Brian Snitker visited the mound but following a discussion decided to leave Wright in the game. Snitker's faith in Wright was rewarded when Avisaíl García ended the inning on a grounder to the mound.

Wright was greeted in the dugout by high-fives from his teammates and a slap on his back from Snitker.

HERO'S WELCOME

The MVP of Atlanta's World Series win over the Houston Astros last season, Soler lifted his helmet in appreciation of a first-inning ovation from fans in his return to Atlanta, then singled up the middle for his first of two hits.

Soler will be presented his World Series ring before Saturday night's game.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Dylan Floro (right rotator cuff tendinitis) will begin his rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter on Saturday. Manager Don Mattingly said the training staff believes Floro has moved past his injury and is “getting close.” ... RHP Edward Cabrera (biceps) threw 40 pitches in three innings at Jupiter on Thursday.

Braves: With OF Eddie Rosario hitting .081 (3 for 37) and without a hit in seven at-bats against left-handers, Travis Demeritte was given the start in right field against the left-handed Rogers. Snitker said he doesn't expect to hold out Rosario against all left-handers. “When he gets it going, he's going to hit lefties,” Snitker said. ... OF Adam Duvall did not start while attending to a family illness.

UP NEXT

Miami's Eliser Hernandez (1-1, 4.22) will face Atlanta's Ian Anderson (1-1, 6.48) in a matchup of right-handers as the three-game series continues on Saturday night.

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports