MIAMI (AP) - Rookie Randall Delgado pitched five innings for his first major-league win, and the Atlanta Braves put the brakes on their recent skid by beating the Florida Marlins 4-0 Tuesday night.
The Braves began the night leading St. Louis by 2½ games in the NL wild-card race after blowing a ninth-inning lead to lose Monday.
The margin was 10½ games on Aug. 25.
Delgado (1-1), making his sixth career start, pitched around five hits and lowered his ERA to 2.70. Cristhian Martinez and Anthony Vavaro both retired six consecutive batters to complete the 16th shutout for the Braves, which ties for third-most in the majors.
Freddie Freeman hit his 20th home run for the Braves, who won for only the seventh time in their past 19 games.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez has left the game with a strained right calf, and his status is day to day.
Gonzalez homered in the second inning Tuesday, then was hurt running the bases in the sixth. He limped off the field when he was replaced by a pinch-runner.
He's hitting .241 with 15 homers.
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