ATLANTA — Kris Medlen struck out a career-high 13 and the Atlanta Braves pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals when Andrelton Simmons scored on a throwing error in the ninth inning Friday. Simmons reached on an infield single against Sean Burnett (1-2) and scurried to third when Michael Bourn lined a single that dropped in right field. Pinch-hitter Tyler Pastornicky hit a one-hop grounder to shortstop Ian Desmond, who had a shot at getting Simmons but threw wildly to the plate, the ball skipping all the way to the backstop while the rookie slid across with the winning run. Craig Kimbrel (2-1) earned the win by striking out the side in the top of the ninth on 10 pitches, though Medlen did most of the heavy lifting. He went seven innings, allowing only a homer to Bryce Harper as the Braves snapped a three-game losing streak. Medlen eclipsed the previous best for strikeouts set 11 days earlier when he fanned 12 in a complete-game win over Colorado. In his last two starts at Turner Field, he has 25 strikeouts in 16 innings. The Braves also extended his franchise record by winning for the 20th straight time when Medlen is on the mound. That is the longest since the New York Yankees won 20 starts in a row by Roger Clemens in 2001. Marlins 4, Reds 0: Jacob Turner allowed only two hits in a career-high seven innings for his first National League victory, and Miami beat the NL Central-leading Cincinnati. Turner (1-2) outpitched Bronson Arroyo (12-8), who gave up four runs in six innings. The Reds became the final NL team to make their debut at Marlins Park, and they couldn't muster much offense in the spacious ballpark. Steve Cishek pitched the ninth to complete a three-hitter, and Cincinnati was shut out for only the third time, fewest in the NL. Turner's 10th career start was his best yet. He walked two, struck out three, lowered his ERA to 3.75 and helped the Marlins break a three-game losing streak. Cubs 7, Pirates 4: Pittsburgh lost its seventh straight game and kept fading in the NL wild-card race, falling to Chicago as Starlin Castro hit a three-run homer. Phillies 12, Astros 6: Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff homer, Domonic Brown had a two-run shot and John Mayberry and Ryan Howard each had three RBIs to help Philadelphia beat Houston. Mets 7, Brewers 3: Lucas Duda homered and doubled, Jonathon Niese pitched six strong innings and New York snapped a six-game losing streak, beating surging Milwaukee. Elsewhere it was: Dodgers 8, Cardinals 5; Rockies 7, Padres 4; Giants 6, Diamondbacks 2. — Agencies
