MIAMI -- Alex Gonzalez's second-inning RBI double off Josh Johnson proved to be enough for Jair Jurrjens, who scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings and helped the Braves snap a two-game losing streak with Saturday night's 2-0 win over the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.

Atlanta leads the NL East by one-game as the Phils stopped the Brewers, 5-4.

On the way to matching a career-best 12 strikeouts, Johnson was unable to keep Gonzalez from victimizing his original organization. The former Marlins shortstop produced the second-inning double and then capped his two-RBI performance with a two-out, sixth-inning single.

Granted an early advantage, Jurrjens produced one of the most impressive outings of his young career. The 24-year-old right-hander was unfazed after making an errant throw on Cameron Maybin's first-inning leadoff bunt single. Hanley Ramirez drew a one-out walk before the early threat ended with a Dan Uggla strikeout and Gaby Sanchez groundout.

While Jurrjens might not have been as overpowering as Johnson, he proved to be more efficient. The Braves hurler induced double-play groundouts in the sixth and seventh innings. After allowing Ramirez's two-out, third-inning single that put runners at first and second, he retired 11 of the final 13 batters that he faced.

One day after tallying just one run in the five innings Andrew Miller constructed during his second big league start of the year, the Braves managed to do just enough damage against Johnson, who entered the day with the NL's second-best ERA (2.27). In the process, they also matched the season-high 15 strikeouts that they were victimized with during an 11-inning loss to the Giants on Aug. 6.

Having tallied just one RBI in his previous eight games, Gonzalez followed Melky Cabrera's second-inning leadoff single with a double to center field. Brian McCann's sixth-inning leadoff double put him in position to score when the shortstop shortened his swing and delivered his two-out single to center.

Johnson recorded nine strikeouts through the first four innings. But while allowing eight hits in his 120-pitch, six-inning effort, he also provided numerous scoring opportunities.

The Braves, who were just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, were unable to take advantage when the fifth inning began with the first of Omar Infante's two singles and a walk drawn by Jason Heyward.

Martin Prado followed with what appeared to be a run-producing extra-base hit until Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin raced to his right and made a spectacular diving catch with his back to the infield. When Dan Uggla bobbled the throw back to the infield, Johnson grabbed the baseball and threw Infante out at third base.

Billy Wagner worked a scoreless ninth to notch his 32nd save of the season allowing the Braves to end yet another day atop the National League East standings.

Box Score

Rookies Mike Minor (3-0) will be on the mound for the Braves as they attempt to take the series from Florida. Alex Sanabia (3-2) starts for the Marlins.

Atlanta plays three games in Pittsburgh before returning to Turner Field Thursday to open a four-game set with the Cardinals.
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Source: MLB.com

Alex Gonzalez drove in both of the Braves runs.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt