McCann's bases-loaded single in 9th lifts Braves past Miami

ATLANTA -- Brian McCann was determined to take advantage of a long-awaited scoring chance.

The Braves catcher needed only one swing.

McCann hit a bases-loaded single with one out in the ninth inning to lift Atlanta to a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

The game, delayed 2 hours, 28 minutes by rain, ended early Saturday morning.

"I guess as an offense we weren't ready to hit on Friday," said Freddie Freeman, who sparked the game-winning rally. "We just needed Saturday to come."

The Braves had only three hits before the ninth.

Freeman led off with a double off the wall in left-center. Jose Quijada (0-3) issued an intentional walk to Josh Donaldson, and the runners advanced on a groundout by Nick Markakis. Quijada loaded the bases with an intentional walk to Austin Riley.

The Marlins brought JT Riddle in from center field to play as a fifth infielder, including three on the right side, against McCann.

McCann foiled the strategy with his line-drive single to left field on the first pitch he saw from Quijada.

"I was just thinking keep my swing short, let the ball travel, and I was going to hit the ball to left field," McCann said.

McCann was mobbed by his teammates in a celebration near first base.

The Marlins, who have lost five straight, couldn't take advantage of a scoring chance in the ninth.

Jorge Alfaro doubled to center field off Luke Jackson (4-2) to lead off the inning. Jackson struck out Riddle and Cesar Puello before pinch-hitter Brian Anderson's fly ball to deep left field was caught by Riley.

The Braves are 9-1 against the Marlins this season. Miami scored a combined five runs in three straight losses at Washington before facing the Braves.

"The Nationals and Braves, two clubs we've had trouble with, we've got to be able to put runs on the board somehow," said Miami manager Don Mattingly.

Miami's Jordan Yamamoto and Atlanta's Julio Teheran each threw six sharp innings.

Teheran hadn't lasted more than four innings and had allowed a combined 15 runs in his last three starts. The right-hander walked Neil Walker with two outs in the sixth, and Walker advanced to third on Starlin Castro's double to the left-field corner. Teheran escaped the jam on Jorge Alfaro's fly ball to center field.

Teheran gave up five hits and two walks.

There was sporadic rain before the long delay at the top of the eighth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: OF Anderson (elbow contusion) missed his third straight start before being used as a pinch-hitter in the ninth. ... C Chad Wallach (concussion) is expected to report to High Class A Jupiter to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday.

Braves: SS Dansby Swanson was held out with a sore left quadriceps and may miss Saturday's game. Manager Brian Snitker said Swanson wanted to play and was available if needed. "We wanted to stay ahead of it," said Snitker, who said he plans for Swanson to start on Sunday.

YAMAMOTO IMPRESSES

Yamamoto, making only his fifth career start, was dominant early, holding Atlanta without a hit for 4 2/3 innings. McCann lined a single up the middle in the fifth for the Braves' first hit. The rookie right-hander gave up only two hits and three walks. "There's something about his fastball," Snitker said. "He's a pretty impressive kid."

SCORING CHANGE

Yamamoto finished the game with a 1.24 ERA, with the help of a scoring change from his June 29 start against Philadelphia. Elias Sports announced Friday that a first-inning single by the Phillies' Scott Kingery was changed to a two-base error. That changed Yamamoto's ERA entering Friday night's game from 2.35 to 1.57.

UP NEXT

Marlins: LHP Caleb Smith (3-4, 3.41) is expected to be activated from the injured list to start on Saturday. Smith has been out since June 7 with left hip inflammation.

Braves: LHP Max Fried (9-3, 4.04) is 0-0 with a 5.14 in three career starts against Miami.

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