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

ATLANTA (AP) — 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.

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.

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.

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.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/L-pez-Marlins-boost-playoff-hopes-by-beating-15596105.php