Sunday was not a good day at Turner Field. The Braves blew leads of both 4-0 and 5-4, Dan Uggla's hitting streak ended and the team went 3-for-12 with runners-in-scoring-position.
The Braves took an early 4-0 lead but that was undone by a bit of bad luck and a bit of terrible pitching from Scott Linebrink. The Cubs hit five singles in the inning, all of which just barely found a hole, and made four outs as well after Brian McCann missed a strike three pitch and allowed it go roll to the wall.
Atlanta took a 5-4 lead in the sixth on a throwing error from John Grabow, but Carlos Pena followed in the seventh with a monster 2-run homer off Eric O'Flaherty. It was the first home run O'Flaherty has given up to a left-handed batter this season.
Michael Bourn walked with two outs in the ninth and stole second base, but Carlos Marmol got Martin Prado to pop out in foul territory to end the game.
Atlanta should have won the game and the series, but they didn't. Questionable bullpen management and failing with runners-in-scoring-position was their ultimate downfall.
The Braves now have a four game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the wild card race. They fall to nine back of the Phillies in the NL East. Those Giants will visit Turner Field for a four-game series starting monday evening. Tim Hudson vs. Madison Bumgarner in what figures to be a huge series for both teams.