Rob Fick’s two-out, two-run single gave the Braves the lead in a five-run ninth, and they ended the Marlins’ seven-game winning streak by winning 8-4.
The Braves snapped a three-game losing streak and avoided being swept by Florida in a three-game series for only the second time.
The Marlins’ defeat cut their lead in the wild-card standings to 1½ games over the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat Pittsburgh 10-7. Florida begins a three-game series at Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
By salvaging the final game of the series, Atlanta increased its lead over Florida in the NL East to 9½ games with two weeks to go.
The Braves trailed 4-3 when Vinny Castilla led off the ninth with a single against Braden Looper (6-4). Chipper Jones, on the bench nursing a turf toe, pinch-hit and singled, and pinch-hitter Javy Lopez walked to load the bases.
Rafael Furcal hit a sacrifice fly to tie the score, and Gary Sheffield walked to again load the bases. Fick singled for a 6-4 lead, and a two-run triple by Andruw Jones made it 8-4.
Looper blew a save for the fifth time in 33 chances.
Will Cunnane (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for Atlanta. Jaret Wright retired the final two Marlins







