The Braves had plenty of opportunities to score off Matt Cain in the first three innings. They only plated one run. After the third? Not a single player reached until the ninth inning.
Jair Jurrjens was anything but good in his return to the mound after missing two weeks with an inflamed right knee. The righty worked through six innings, but allowed eight hits, five earned runs and two walks while striking out just one. Cristhian Martinez was solid in two innings of relief work, but Scott Linebrink blew any real chance of a comeback after allowing two runs in the ninth.
Atlanta made it interesting in the final inning with a score of 7-1. Freddie Freeman singled and Brooks Conrad walked after a Chipper Jones fly out. Julio Lugo grounded out and nearly hit into a double play, but he was able to beat the throw. Jason Heyward drove in a run with an opposite field single -- and did so off a left-handed pitcher -- to make the score 7-2. Michael Bourn hit what would have been the final out, but Orlando Cabrera bobbled the blooper and allowed another run to score.
This is where things got wild. Martin Prado with a 2-run double to bring the game-tying run to the plate in the form of Brian McCann. It appeared Mac had drawn a walk on an inside, 3-1 slider, but the umpire gave a generous strike. McCann battled a few high fastballs off before eventually striking out on a fastball at the knees.
It was fun, but in the end it would prove to be too little too late.
Atlanta will go for a win of the series Thursday night on Dan Uggla Bobblehead Night. It'll be Tim Lincecum vs. Mike Minor in a 7:10EDT start.