Dodgers Vs. Braves: Chad Billingsley Bests Mike Minor In Series Finale

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Chipper Jones Expects To Return To Lineup On Monday

Chipper Jones sat out Sunday's series finale against the Washington Nationals with sore knees. Following the game he told reporters that he intended to be in the lineup for the entire Washington series.

"Yeah, I do. My knee's been bugging me pretty good the last couple of days. Last night was real bad, so today was a no-brainer. That was the thought process, to get this last day before we go up there, in hopes that I can play all three [at Washington]."

The Braves offense was held in check for the most part against the Dodgers and Atlanta will need their full allotment of players if they hope to cool off the red hot Nationals.

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Fredi Gonzalez's Decision To Pull Mike Minor Was Odd

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Braves vs. Dodgers Score: Chad Billingsley Outworks Mike Minor, LA Wins 5-0

The Atlanta Braves lost their first series in exactly one month on Sunday, falling to Chad Billingsley and the LA Dodgers by a score of 5-0. After a thrilling win in extra innings on Friday night, Atlanta scored just two runs in the final two games of the series, failing to record a hit with a runner in scoring position (0-for-12).

Mike Minor was sharp yet again this afternoon. The young lefty worked seven innings of one-run ball, surrendering the lone run on a solo homer to Juan Cruz in the fifth inning. Minor allowed five hits, all while striking out two and not walking a batter.

Since July 1, Minor's ERA is 2.29.

Billingsley was simply too good on this day. He also went seven innings, allowing just three hits and two walks. He struck out four. He improved to 5-0 since the All-Star Break.

Los Angeles broke the game open late. With the score still 1-0 in the eighth, Mark Ellis drove home a run on a pop fly to right. Jason Heyward lost the ball in the sun and it dropped in for a hit. Mark Ellis essentially sealed the deal in the ninth with a three-run double down the left field line to make it 5-0.

The Braves now head to Washington for a huge three-game series with the Nationals.

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Dodgers Vs. Braves Lineups: Chipper Jones Gets Day Off, Brian McCann Returns

The Braves' lineup against the Dodgers on Sunday has been announced by the team. Veteran Chipper Jones gets the day off in this one, while catcher Brian McCann returns to the lineup still suffering from his lingering shoulder injury. McCann was reportedly unhappy with being held from the lineup on Saturday, the second straight game he missed, but he'll definitely play Sunday.

This is the game that will decide the series between the two teams. Mike Minor will take the mound for the Braves.

Take a look here at the lineups for both teams:

Dodgers

1. Shane Victorino (S) LF
2. Mark Ellis (R) 2B
3. Matt Kemp (R) CF
4. Hanley Ramirez (R) SS
5. Andre Ethier (L) RF
6. Juan Rivera (R) 1B
7. Luis Cruz (R) 3B
8. A.J. Ellis (R) C
9. Chad Billingsley (R) P

Braves

1. Michael Bourn (L) CF
2. Martin Prado (R) LF
3. Jason Heyward (L) RF
4. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
5. Dan Uggla (R) 2B
6. Juan Francisco (L) 3B
7. Brian McCann (L) C
8. Paul Janish (R) SS
9. Mike Minor (R) P

Read more on the Braves at Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta. Head over to True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles for more on the Dodgers. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

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Dodgers Vs. Braves: Sunday Game Time, TV, Radio Info And More

When the Atlanta Braves allow just four hits to an opposing lineup, they're fairly likely to win. When those four hits are all home runs, including a three-run blast from Hanley Ramirez, the picture looks less promising.

The Braves had five hits, all for extra bases, but left 11 men on base en route to an odd and frustrating 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday night.

Sunday, Atlanta turns to lefty Mike Minor (6-9, 4.93 ERA), who's been solid in not allowing more than three earned runs in a start since June. The former Vanderbilt standout needs to cut down on the long ball, but he's shown better command of his fastball lately and has used the pitch to set up his changeup (instead of the other way around, as was the case early in the season).

He'll face off against the Dodgers' Chad Billingsley (9-9, 3.62 ERA), who's yet to lose since the All-Star Break while posting a 1.56 ERA in that span.

Brian McCann, who's missed the first two games of this series with continued shoulder issues, should be back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale.

Game Time: 1:35 pm ET, Turner Field

TV/Radio: Fox Sports South, TBS (nationally); WCNN 680 The Fan

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Brian McCann May Need Shoulder Surgery In Offseason, Not Happy About Sitting The Bench

Brian McCann has been battling a sore shoulder for weeks now and was held out of the lineup on Saturday for the second straight game. McCann is not happy about sitting, claiming that he is capable and healthy enough to play and do what's necessary to help the Braves win. Manager Fredi Gonzalez disagrees, and he's the one who gets the final say.

McCann is not happy about not being in today's lineup. He says his shoulder feels good enough for him to play.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 18, 2012

Then came this tidbit out of Atlanta. According to a couple of test results, McCann might need offseason shoulder surgery to fix things up a bit.

McCann said the MRI he had "a while ago" showed the frayed labrum and cyst, and that after season he'll see if surgery is necessary.

— David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) August 18, 2012

This will definitely be a few things to watch for not only in this weekend's series with the Dodgers, but also in the coming months if Mac continues to be bothered by his shoulder.

For more on McCann and the Braves, check out Talking Chop.

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Dodgers Vs. Braves Lineups: Brian McCann Sits Again To Rest Sore Shoulder

Brian McCann has struggled with a sore right shoulder for the past few weeks. After taking a cortisone shot last week the All-Star catcher hoped he would be feeling back to normal, but that is not the case. For the second game in a row, McCann will rest on the bench while David Ross makes the start.

The rest of the lineup looks pretty familiar for the Braves. Here it is for Saturday's game, which is also MLB's Civil Rights Game.

Michael Bourn CF
Martin Prado LF
Jason Heyward RF
Chipper Jones 3B
Freddie Freeman 1B
Dan Uggla 2B
David Ross C
Paul Janish SS
Ben Sheets P

The Dodgers lineup:

Dodgers lineup: Victorino LF M Ellis 2B Kemp CF Ethier RF Ramirez SS Loney 1B Cruz 3B AJ Ellis C Harang P

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 18, 2012

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Braves Vs. Dodgers: Los Angeles Manager Don Mattingly Suspended

According to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will be forced to serve a two-game suspension for arguing with an umpire on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mattingly will sit the last two games of the series against the Atlanta Braves:

Dodgers announce Don Mattingly was suspended for 2 games for arguing on Thursday in Pittsburgh

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 18, 2012

Mattingly's suspension will start tonight. Trey Hillman will be acting manager for remaining two games in Atlanta

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 18, 2012

The Braves and Dodgers kicked off a three-game weekend series on Friday night from Turner Field. Atlanta beat Los Angeles in the first game by a final score of 4-3.

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Braves Vs. Dodgers: Ben Sheets Looks To Rebound In His Next Start

The Atlanta Braves will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday as they prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the series. The Braves will deploy Ben Sheets to the mound, as Sheets looks to rebound from his roughest outing of the season in his last start.

Sheets gave up four earned runs in six innings in a 6-5 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday, an outing that wasn't atrocious but was spoiled by a few big hits from the Mets. Sheets will battle Dodgers' right-hander Aaron Harang, who in his last start versus Atlanta gave up three earned runs in six innings.

The Braves are now four games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East and four games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL wild card standings. The Braves are in a good spot, but the feeling from the players is that they want that divisional crown.

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Braves Vs. Dodgers: Fredi Gonzalez A Big Fan Of Paul Janish

Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez likes what he sees from Paul Janish. The Braves traded for the shortstop --who was toiling away with the Cincinnati Reds in AAA -- after starting rookie Andrelton Simmons hit the DL.

After Janish went 3-for-5 and made a key relay throw that prevented Andre Ethier from scoring, he singled in the 11th to let Juan Francisco come to the plate and deliver the winning RBI. Gonzalez was raving about the shortstop after the game:

“He had a great night but I appreciate him. The hits, those are great things to do but I appreciate the hell out of him defensively. The stuff he can do. The relay to cut the runner out at the plate with two outs.

"Nice game on his part, and I know him and Walk have worked hard to get a swing where he’s not an out. And he’s not by any means of the imagination and like we always say, he’s not here to win a batting title, he’s here to help us win on defense. And he’s done that. Whatever we get offensively out of him is a plus.”

Janish is hitting just .227, but his solid defense in a loaded lineup is all the Braves are asking for until Simmons returns. Nights at the plate like Friday night are just icing on the cake.

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Dodgers Vs. Braves Game 2: Time, TV, Radio and Info And More

The Atlanta Braves look to follow their extra-innings victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and continue their pursuit of the National League playoffs when they host L.A. for the second of a three-game series Saturday at 7:35 ET at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Atlanta fans can catch the game locally on TV on Peachtree TV or Fox Sports South, or on the radio at WNNX 100.5 FM or on WCNN 680.

The Braves (70-49) currently sit atop the NL wild-card standings while still trailing by four games the MLB-best Washington Nationals. Atlanta is comfortably four games ahead of Pittsburgh to hold the first of two wild-card spots.

Ben Sheets (4-2, 2.13 ERA) takes the mound following his worst start since joining Atlanta's rotation in July. Sheets allowed five runs to the New York Mets on Sunday after posting five straight quality starts to begin his Braves career.

The Dodgers (65-55) hope to rebound from a disappointing loss, which saw the Braves win, 4-3, in 11 innings on a walk-off single by pinch-hitter Juan Francisco. They'll send Aaron Harang (8-7, 3.76) to the mound. Los Angeles is a mere half-game behind San Francisco in the NL West.

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Dodgers Vs. Braves Final Score: Juan Francisco's Walk Off Single Gives Atlanta 4-3 Win

Juan Francisco's walk off single in the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 come from behind win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Atlanta entered the eighth inning trailing 3-1 before RBI singles by Martin Prado and Jason Heyward tied the game. The score would remain tied 3-3 until Francisco's heroics in the 11th.

Tommy Hanson made his first start for the Braves since coming off the disabled list and allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. Hanson struck out five and walked two while allowing a home run to Andre Ethier. Jonny Venters picks up the win in relief.

Paul Janish with 3 for 5 for the Braves to raise his average to .227. Michael Bourn finished with two hits while Chipper Jones hit his 13th home run of the season in the second inning off of Dodgers starters Chris Capuano.

For more on the Braves, please be sure to check out our blog Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta for all the latest news and updates. Also be sure to check out Baseball Nation for even more MLB news stories.

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Dodgers Vs. Braves Lineups: Brian McCann Rests Shoulder, David Ross Starts

The Atlanta Braves have announced their lineup for Friday night to kick off a key three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the season ended today both teams would be in the playoffs; LA leads the NL West by one-half game, while the Braves have a comfortable lead in the race for the wild card play-in game.

Atlanta has scored six runs in back-to-back games and are looking to win their fourth in a row this evening. Manager Fredi Gonzalez has elected to rest Brian McCann, who is battling a shoulder issue and has struggled in recent days. David Ross will make the start against Dodgers left-handed pitcher Chris Capuano.

Here is the rest of the Braves lineup:

Michael Bourn - CF
Martin Prado - LF
Jason Heyward - RF
Chipper Jones - 3B
Freddie Freeman - 1B
Dan Uggla - 2B
David Ross - C
Paul Janish - SS
Tommy Hanson - P

Here is the Dodgers lineup:

Shane Victorino - LF
Mark Ellis - 2B
Matt Kemp - CF
Andre Ethier - RF
Hanley Ramirez - SS
James Loney - 1B
Luis Cruz - 3B
Matt Treanor - C
Chris Capuano - P

First pitch from Turner Field is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

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2012 MLB Standings: Braves Still Trail Nationals By 4 Games In N.L. East

The Braves begin a difficult stretch on Friday when they open a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta. The Braves enter the night trailing the Washington Nationals by four games with whom they will open a series against on Monday.

Its going to be a difficult stretch for the Braves who will play two division leaders in the Dodgers and the Nationals along with the second place Giants over their next three series.

Here is a look at the full standings for the National League East:

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