The losing streak is over, but to be honest, it was more of the same for the Atlanta Braves until the sixth inning.
Facing Brad Hand, a rookie pitcher for Florida who has dominated the team in the past, the Braves continued their recent ways of struggling with runners-in-scoring-position. Fortunately for Fredi Gonzalez, Brian McCann broke out of his three week slump and belted a three-run homer to get the team going in the sixth inning.
With the pressure finally off the Braves to get that elusive big hit, Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer of his own in the following inning, which is his second of the season against his former-team. It was also the second baseman's 34th blast of the season, which sets a career-high for the 31-year old. His remarkable second half continues and we can only hope Uggla continues to his slugging ways in October.
Mike Minor battled command at times, but he ended up working 5.2 innings of one-run ball. He struck out five, though the lefty did allow four hits and (more notably) four walks as well. Fortunately, Peter Moylan came in and got him out of a jam and the combination of Eric O'Flaherty, Arodys Vizcaino, Jonny Venters and Scott Linebrink did not allow a run in the final four innings.
With a win finally under their belts, Atlanta will now play a matinee game on Wednesday afternoon to win their first series in nearly two weeks. It will be Randall Delgado against Ricky Nolasco in a 12:05 EDT start.