Martin Prado had three hits and two RBIs, Melky Cabrera and Yunel Escobar had multi-hit games and the Atlanta Braves beat the Florida Marlins 8-3 on Thursday night.

The Braves took two of three in the series and solidified their spot in second place in the NL East, pulling within 1 1/2 games of Philadelphia, which was shut out by the New York Mets for the third night in a row.

Prado had RBI singles in the fourth and sixth, leading Atlanta's 14-hit attack. David Ross also had two RBIs, driving in one with a double in the fourth and drawing a bases-loaded walk in the eighth.

Cabrera, Escobar and Chipper Jones all added two hits and an RBI for the Braves, who have won seven of nine.

The game was delayed by rain for more than an hour after the fourth inning, with each starter not returning following the break in action.

That prevented Braves right-hander Tim Hudson from winning his fourth consecutive start. Hudson allowed two runs on five hits. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco (4-4) gave up three runs on eight hits to take the loss.

Atlanta's bullpen held up after the delay as five relievers combined to limit the Marlins to one run on five hits over five innings. Peter Moylan (2-0) worked a scoreless fifth for the win.

Chris Coghlan, Hanley Ramirez and Ronny Paulino had two hits apiece for the Marlins.