Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair owned an 8.30 ERA through 14 starts this season. On Saturday, the right-hander dominated the Detroit Tigers to give his team a 5-3 win at Turner Field. 


Aaron Blair of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Turner Field.
(Kevin Liles/Getty Images)

"All year long we've played well, had a few bad stretches, came back and fought through a lot of adversity," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "Guys are obviously tired this time of the season. We're trying to find a way any way we can."

Trying to make the postseason, the Tigers dropped 1.5 games out of the second American League Wild Card spot. The Tigers need a win on Sunday and a loss by either the Toronto Blue Jays or Baltimore Orioles. 

"Tomorrow comes to a must-win," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said, "and there's no other pitcher we'd rather have on this team than Justin Verlander on the mound."

Detroit led 1-0 in the third inning after Ian Kinsler's RBI double. Freddie Freeman's 34th home run put the Braves ahead 2-1 in the fourth and Nick Markakis's 13th home run gave the Braves a 3-1 edge in the sixth inning. 

The Tigers starter, Jordan Zimmermann (9-7), allowed two runs on three hits and three walks through four innings. The right-hander struck out two batters. 

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws during the first inning against the Atlatna Braves. (Kevin Liles / Gerry Images)
Detroit Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws during the first inning against the Atlatna Braves. 
(Kevin Liles / Gerry Images)

Justin Upton stayed hot and cut Atlanta's lead to one run with his 31st home run in the seventh inning. Adonis Garcia's two-run single gave the Braves a 5-2 lead in the bottom half of that inning. 

Detroit Tigers leftifleder Justin Upton high-fives Dave Clark, the third base coach, after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves. (David Goldman / AP)

While Zimmermann struggled, Blair (2-7) shined for the Braves. He gave up just two runs on four hits and one walk in five innings. Believe it or not, Blair struck out five of the first six batters he faced. 

Braves closer Jim Johnson, who formally pitched for Detroit, gave up a ninth inning run on an infield single by Jose Iglesias. However, Johnson retired pinch-hitter Victor Martinez to secure a 5-3 victory. 

The battle between the Tigers and Braves on Sunday will be the final game at Turner Field. Since 1997, the ballpark has been home to Atlanta. The field hosted the 2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. 

UP NEXT:

The Tigers will send ace Justin Verlander to the bump on Sunday in a must-win situation. Verlander will be opposed by Julio Teheran of the Braves. Detroit's pitcher owns a 16-8 record with a 3.10 ERA, while Atlanta's pitcher is 6-10 with a 3.33 ERA this season.