Braves go 10 innings to complete sweep at Miami, 3-1

MIAMI (AP) — Ender Inciarte faked a bunt and instead slapped an opposite-field RBI double down the line to break a 10th-inning tie, and the Atlanta Braves completed a three-game series sweep by beating the Miami Marlins 3-1 Sunday.

Nick Markakis‘ home run gave Atlanta a lead in the seventh, but the Marlins tied it with three consecutive singles in the eighth.

Tayron Guerrero (1-1) walked pinch-hitter Josh Donaldson to start the 10th. Inciarte then squared to bunt but instead shot a grounder into the left-field corner, and pinch-running pitcher Max Fried slid home when the relay throw bounced away from catcher Chad Wallach.

Charlie Culberson followed with a sacrifice fly.

Five Atlanta pitchers combined on a six-hitter. Luke Jackson pitched around a double by Peter O’Brien in the 10th for his second save in three opportunities.

O’Brien’s high drive appeared catchable before it hit the retractable roof and dropped in front of left fielder Culberson.

The Braves completed their third series sweep of the season and their 23rd sweep of the Marlins in the 27-season history between teams. The Braves improved to 44-23 at Marlins Park.

The Marlins (9-24), who have the worst record in the majors, were outscored 19-5 in the series.

Pablo Lopez allowed three hits and no runs in six innings for the Marlins, but they’ve totaled only five runs in his past six starts.

Atlanta’s Julio Teheran, who had lost three consecutive starts, allowed only two hits in six scoreless innings. The Marlins tied it in the eighth on consecutive singles by pinch-hitter Jon Berti, Martin Prado and Brian Anderson against Josh Tomlin (1-0).

The game’s first run scored when Markakis pulled an 0-2 fastball against Drew Steckenrider for a homer leading off the seventh. Markakis also walked twice and singled to hike his average to .333.

Steckenrider has allowed six homers in 13 1/3 innings.

SITTING OUT

Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. sat out after tweaking his back Saturday, when he tied a career high with four hits.

NO SHADOWS

The retractable roof was closed for the 1:10 p.m. start, defusing debate about shadows during day games. Two weeks ago the Washington Nationals complained the mix of shade and sun made for dangerously bad visibility at Marlins Park.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.83) will start on two days’ rest Monday night at the Dodgers. Gausman threw 28 pitches before being ejected in the second inning Friday for throwing at the Marlins’ Jose Ureña.

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (1-3, 4.86) is scheduled to pitch when Miami begins a seven-game trip Monday night at the Cubs. Alcantara has allowed 18 earned runs this year, 12 of them in the third inning.