Tommy Hanson pitched a gem and the Braves got a much-needed 2-1 win on Omar Infante’s 11th-inning single, but seeing Martin Prado leave after collapsing in pain from a hip injury put a damper on things Monday night at Turner Field.
Infante’s two-out hit to left field against the Florida Marlins gave the Braves their majors-leading 25th win in their final at-bat, and more importantly moved them a half-game ahead of San Diego in the National League wild-card race on a night when Philadelphia clinched the NL East title.
“A great finish,” said manager Bobby Cox, whose Braves reclaimed the wild-card lead after the Padres lost late Monday to the Chicago Cubs. “We had great pitching all night, a great game from Tommy and the bullpen was just a machine tonight.
“And we finally got a big hit to win the ballgame.”
Prado was diagnosed with a hip pointer and could possibly miss the remainder of the regular season.
“With five games left, any time you lose Prado that’s not good at all,” said catcher Brian McCann’s whose fourth-inning homer gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead. “We’ve lost Chipper, we’ve lost [other guys]. Guys are just going to have to step up. Guys have been doing it all year.
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