Garrett Jones lifts Miami Marlins past Atlanta Braves 3-1 in 10

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog
photo Miami Marlins first baseman Garrett Jones (46) drives in the game-winning run with a two-run single in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta on Monday, July 21, 2014. Miami won 3-1.

ATLANTA - The Miami Marlins couldn't take advantage of a bases-loaded opportunity with no outs in the ninth inning.

They didn't waste another chance with the bases loaded in the 10th.

Garrett Jones drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the 10th inning, lifting Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

It was an important win for a Miami team trying to retain its fading playoff hopes.

"It's a huge series," said Marlins starter Tom Koehler, who allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings.

"I don't want to say it's bend or break, but we're running out of season. These guys are ahead of us, so obviously coming in here we want to play them tough and win these games."

Christian Yelich led off the 10th with a single off Shae Simmons (1-2) and moved to second on Jordany Valdespin's sacrifice bunt. Following an intentional walk to Giancarlo Stanton, Simmons walked Casey McGehee to load the bases.

Jones broke a 1-1 tie with his grounder past Simmons into center field.

The Marlins won despite McGehee and Stanton combining for only one hit and no RBIs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit his 10th homer for Miami in the fifth for a 1-1 tie that held until the ninth.

"We've talked about it a lot," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "We can't rely on the same guys every single night to get the win. Giancarlo can't hit a home run every single time to win the game. We need other guys.

"We need multiple guys to get it done and tonight was a total team effort. We pitched great and we got the big hits and played good defense."

Bryan Morris (7-0) stranded two runners in a scoreless ninth for the win. Steve Cishek pitched a perfect 10th inning for his 22nd save.

The Braves began the night one percentage point behind first-place Washington in the NL East.

The Marlins couldn't score after loading the bases with no outs in the ninth against closer Craig Kimbrel.

Kimbrel walked McGehee to open the ninth and he raced to third on Jones' single to right. Kimbrel had two strikes on Marcell Ozuna before throwing four straight balls to load the bases.

Kimbrel struck out Saltalamacchia and Adeiny Hechavarria before pinch-hitter Donovan Solano lined out to second base to end the inning.

Atlanta starter Julio Teheran matched his career high with 11 strikeouts while allowing one run and four hits in seven innings.

"Everything was working today," Teheran said. "One mistake cost me one run. I feel that was the best start I've had this year. I was getting ahead in counts. All my pitches were working and I had the confidence to throw them."

Koehler gave up one run in the second inning when Justin Upton led off with a single up the middle and later scored on Chris Johnson's groundout.

Teheran retired Miami's first nine hitters before walking Yelich to open the fourth. That set the stage for Andrelton Simmons' defensive play of the game.

With Yelich running from first, Simmons was running toward second base when Valdespin hit a sharp grounder toward shortstop. Simmons stopped and dived back toward his vacated spot to grab the grounder before again quickly reversing his momentum to reach in the other direction and tag second base to force out Yelich.

With two outs in the fifth, Saltalamacchia pulled a homer into the seats in right field for Miami's first hit, tying the game 1-1.

The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth with the help of shortstop Hechavarria's throwing error to first base after fielding Jason Heyward's grounder. Koehler walked Evan Gattis to load the bases before striking out Johnson to end the threat.

Gattis was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game. He had been sidelined since June 29 with a bulging disk in his lower back.

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