ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson and the Atlanta Braves were in danger of being swept in a four-game series by the Marlins, something that had never occurred.
Didn’t happen this time, either.
Swanson’s RBI single with the bases loaded capped Atlanta’s two-run rally in the ninth inning and the Braves beat Miami 7-6 Thursday to snap a four-game losing streak.
“Pressure situations are something I love,” Swanson said. “I love to have that pressure and the game hanging in the balance. It’s such a thrill.”
The Braves recovered after blowing a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth. Garrett Cooper singled to put Miami ahead.
Dylan Floro (0-1) couldn’t hold the 6-5 lead in the bottom half. Ender Inciarte and Ronald Acuña Jr. singled and Freddie Freeman walked to load the bases with no outs.
Floro struck out Travis d’Arnaud before walking Ozzie Albies to force in the tying run. Swanson’s single to left field set off the on-field celebration.
It was Swanson’s fifth career game-ending RBI.
“I don’t know that I want anybody in that situation other than Dansby,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s amazing in that arena. He loves it when the pressure is on him.”
Pablo Sandoval connected for his third pinch-hit homer this season, a three-run drive in the seventh that gave Atlanta a 5-3 lead.
Acuña hit a two-run homer, his seventh, for Atlanta’s only runs off Trevor Rogers, who pitched five innings and allowed three hits.
With Atlanta clinging to a 5-4 lead, A.J. Minter (1-0) walked Miguel Rojas to open the ninth, with ball four sailing to the screen behind home plate. Adam Duvall’s pinch-hit double to the wall in right-center tied the game.
With two outs, Cooper lined a single past Swanson’s dive at shortstop.
The Braves trailed 3-2 before Sandoval lined…
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