Markakis plates winner as Braves earn split

CHICAGO — Nick Markakis hit a sacrifice fly with one out in the 10th inning Sunday to lift the Braves to a 4-3 victory over the Cubs, who had rallied to tie the game in the ninth.

Daniel Castro singled with one out in the Braves’ 10th against Hector Rondon, and reached third on Mallex Smith’s single. Castro then scored on Markakis’ fly ball to left.

“It felt great to get that win, we needed it,” said Smith, who highlighted his three-hit performance with a hit-and-run single in the 10th that moved Castro to third base. “We need to keep winning. This is something we’re just going to try to continue to build on.”

Chicago scored two runs in the eighth and trailed 3-2 in the ninth against Arodys Vizcaino when Ben Zobrist walked, and one out later, reached third on a throwing error by the Braves pitcher, who bounced his pickoff throw past first baseman Freddie Freeman. Addison Russell then hit a RBI single to right to tie the game.

Atlanta starter Julio Teheran was in line for the win after striking out nine in seven scoreless innings. The Braves took advantage of an error by Russell in the sixth to score two runs against Chicago’s John Lackey.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Finding a way: After the Braves loaded the bases with a single and two walks in the sixth, Adonis Garcia produced a grounder that would have likely resulted in an inning-ending double play had Russell not fumbled the ball, allowing Smith to score. Kelly Johnson followed with another grounder that could have resulted in a double play. But Garcia ducked under the tag second baseman Zobrist attempted to apply before throwing to first base for a force out. Markakis crossed the plate though Garcia was tagged out at the end of a rundown.

“We’ll take it, we’ve given enough away like that,” said Braves …

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