ATLANTA (AP) —
Cameron Maybin went up to the plate ready to swing, and the Florida Marlins never let up.
They’re not giving up on the playoffs, either.
Maybin homered on the first pitch of the game, Logan Morrison followed with his first career homer and Chris Volstad pitched eight strong innings to lead the Marlins past the slumping Atlanta Braves 7-1 on Friday night.
Florida has won eight of 10 to close within 7 1/2 games of the NL East-leading Braves, though the wild card is probably more realistic.
“We’ve got 35 games left,” Maybin said. “I know everybody in here is thinking about it. We’re playing some good baseball. We’re not counting ourselves out until the season is over.”
The Braves have lost four in a row, their worst slump since a nine-game skid in April. The last two defeats have been especially ugly — Atlanta squandered a 10-1 lead at Colorado and fell 12-10, then got blown out after Florida started a game with back-to-back homers for the first time in franchise history.
Maybin ended Tommy Hanson’s streak of 47 2-3 innings without giving up a homer.
“I’m always ready to hit, especially against a guy like Tommy,” Maybin said. “He’s got a good fastball. You’ve got to be ready. You don’t want him to get ahead in the count.”
Local Sports
Marlins pournd Hansen
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Lady Devils play Region 1-AAAAA opener tonight
The Tift County Lady Devils will open up the Region 1-AAAAA basketball tournament tonight at 6 against the Coffee High Lady Trojans.
That game will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by the Colquitt County High Packer-Coffee High Trojan boys contest.
The entire region tournament will be played at the Tift County High Arena. -
Lady Panthers advance to GISA state playoffs
The Tiftarea Lady Panthers will play Stratford Academy in Macon Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. as they advance to the first round of state. Beating Calvary of Columbus Tuesday night, the Lady Panthers had to play the Deerfield Windsor Knights Friday in the region semi-finals held at ABAC.
- Firebirds season opener cancelled
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Irwin County High sends four wrestlers to state
Head Coach Ray Pierce’s Irwin County Indians took part in the state Class A sectionals Saturday in McRae at Telfair County High School.
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TCHS team is like a family
The Tift County Blue Devils have racked up a 10-game winning streak, a regular season region championship and a ton of momentum since returning from Christmas break.
- Tift swimmers headed for state competition
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Tift County to host state wrestling sectionals
This Friday and Saturday Tift County High School will play host to the state sectionals for wrestling. Some of the best teams in the state, and country, will be competing for spots in the state meet.
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Mistakes cost Patriots fourth title
It’s going to be an offseason of what-ifs for the AFC Champions, who lost to the Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Blue Devils win regular season region title
Lady Devils lose 59-48
Blue Devils win 53-43
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Seniors go out with big wins
Dr. Eric Holland and Julie Conner wanted to send their seniors out with big wins on their senior night.
Boy, did they ever. - More Local Sports Headlines
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