It would be an understatement to say that the Atlanta offense was due. After scoring just seven total runs in a three game sweep of the Florida Marlins, Atlanta scored 11 runs including four home runs in their 11-4 series opening win against the Houston Astros.
Atlanta wasted little time getting on the board early thanks to a Freddie Freeman RBI single in the first that scored Jordan Schafer giving the Braves a 1-0 lead.
The Braves extended their lead to 5-0 with a four run third. Most impressive was that all of the runs came with two outs in the inning. Batting in the No. 2 hole in the order, Dan Uggla doubled with two outs in the inning. Chipper Jones followed with an infield single with Uggla scoring on a throwing error by Houston first baseman Brett Wallace. Freddie Freeman then hit a mammoth home run to right deep into the second deck at Minute Maid Park making the score 4-0. On the next pitch, Alex Gonzalez followed with a homer of his own to left giving the Braves a 5-0 lead and their second back-to-back homers of the season.
Atlanta had another big inning in the fifth. Jordan Schafer singled to lead off the inning and scored on a Chipper Jones single. After another hit from Freddie Freeman, Alex Gonzalez followed with a two-run double making the score 8-1 in favor of Atlanta. Matt Young capped off the scoring in the inning with an RBI single of his own scoring Gonzalez and giving the Braves a commanding 9-1 lead.
The Braves added solo homers from Eric Hinske and Chipper Jones in the seventh and eighth innings to round out their scoring.
Tim Hudson evens his record at 5-5 after allowing seven hits and two runs over six innings of work. Huddy struck out four while walking no one. Scott Proctor and Scott Linebrink each pitched a scoreless inning before Cristhian Martinez ran into trouble in the ninth surrendering three hits and two runs.
For the Astros, Aneury Rodriguez lost for the fourth time this season pitching four innings while allowing six hits and six runs.
Freddie Freeman finished 3 for 5 with a homer and three RBI's on the night. Chipper Jones also had three hits and a homer for the Braves. Alex Gonzalez and Matt Young finished with two hits apiece. Atlanta banged out 14 hits in the game.
Houston's Michael Bourn had an outstanding night at the plate going 4 for 5 with two runs scored. Jeff Keppinger also added a couple of hits for the Astros.
The win is Atlanta's fourth in a row and puts them a season high eight games over .500 at 36-28 on the season.