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ATL@NYM: Maholm fans six over 5 1/3 frames in win

With their 7-5 victory against the Marlins in Monday's series opener, the Braves cut their deficit in the National League East to five games and lowered their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to seven. Monday was the start of an important six-game road trip for the Braves, who have a chance to secure their playoff spot this week if things go well.

The Braves will get another chance to inch closer to the playoffs Tuesday, when their series against the Marlins continues. Tuesday included, the Braves play eight of their final 14 games on the road, where they are 42-31, almost identical to their 43-32 record at Turner Field.

Center fielder Michael Bourn said it doesn't matter to the Braves where they play, they just have to win games right now.

"We've been a pretty good team on the road this year, so it doesn't present a real difficult challenge for us," Bourn said. "But we've got to continue to take it one game at a time. If we do that, I think we're going to be successful."

Mired in last place in the NL East, the Marlins are looking for development and improvement of their young players, such as right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. The Marlins acquired Eovaldi as a part of the deal that sent Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers. Eovaldi has made nine starts for the Marlins, and he has a 5.44 ERA in 43 innings since the trade.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said part of Eovaldi's problem has been with his control. Eovaldi has walked 22 batters while striking out 24.

"I think Eovaldi, if he throws more strikes and is consistent with that, this kid is going to be nasty," Guillen said. "He's got a great arm."

The Braves will counter with left-hander Paul Maholm, their own Trade Deadline acquisition. Maholm has struggled in September. He has given up 15 runs in 11 2/3 innings and pitched into the sixth inning only once in three starts this month.

Braves: McCann remains day to day
Catcher Brian McCann remained sidelined Monday by tendinitis in his right hamstring. It was the second game he missed because of the injury that forced him to leave Saturday's game against the Nationals in the third inning.

McCann suffered the injury last week in Milwaukee and is listed as day to day, but he hopes to be able to return to the field as soon as Tuesday. He said the injury makes it difficult for him to squat, but he is available as a pinch-hitter.

"That's the only place it affects me, is when I'm behind the plate," McCann said Sunday. "It's hard to be in the squat, to be effective back there."

• First baseman Freddie Freeman, who had been in a nine-game slump before the Braves arrived in Milwaukee last week, extended his hitting streak to six games Monday. Freeman is hitting .429 during the streak.

Freeman has hit 20 home runs this season, one shy of his total from last year, when he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Marlins: Stanton's status uncertain for Tuesday
Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton missed Monday's series opener against the Braves due to a sore left intercostal muscle. Stanton said he tweaked his side in Saturday's victory against the Reds.

Stanton said he should be able to return to the lineup Tuesday, Guillen said he might take a more cautious route and give Stanton another day to recover.

"I'd rather him miss two games than miss the rest of the season, because that injury really can put you down for a little while," Guillen said. "That's why I think not playing him for a couple of days and all of a sudden we play him and boom he is done for the season. I don't think it's worth the risk to do that."

• Catcher Rob Brantly extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single in the second inning. Brantly is hitting .480 and has a .594 on-base percentage during his streak.

Brantly, a rookie acquired from the Tigers in the deal that sent Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to Detroit, is hitting .343 with a .522 slugging percentage in 21 games this season.

Worth noting
• This week's series features three of the top four players in extra-base hits that are 23 years old or younger. Stanton leads the group with 64, Braves right fielder Jason Heyward ranks second (59) and Freeman is fourth (54).

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