Cishek shows he can hold runners on base

ATLANTA -- Holding runners close on first base usually isn't Steve Cishek's highest priority. On Tuesday night, in the Marlins' 6-5 win over the Braves at Turner Field, it became one.

With speedy pinch-runner Jordan Schafer on first base in a one-run game in the ninth inning, Cishek paid extra-close attention. The Miami closer threw over to first four straight times.

When Cishek finally threw to the plate, Schafer took off, but he was thrown out by catcher Jeff Mathis. Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria fielded the short-hop and applied the tag for the out.

Cishek is the first to admit he doesn't always focus on the baserunner.

"I don't typically worry about the runner at first," he said. "But when there are no outs, and you've got a speedy runner over there, you have to throw over. Usually I don't worry about it too much. [Tuesday] was a little bit different. Schafer has got a lot of speed. I didn't want him to get on second. The coaches kept throwing the pick-over sign."

In the big leagues, Cishek has never thrown over as many as four straight times. He did three on occasion in the Minors.

"It was huge. It kept him off balance," Cishek said. "I tried to vary my times as much as I can to give Jeff the best possible chance to gun him down."