After two days of lackluster play from the Atlanta Braves, they battled back on Sunday afternoon to defeat the Texas Rangers by the score of 4-2.
Jair Jurrjens battled control problems early, but battled back to work 5.1 innings in route of his ninth win of the season. He allowed seven hits and two walks on 116 pitches and struck out four Rangers. The bullpen pitched well (for the most part, anyway) and Scott Linebrink, George Sherrill, Scott Proctor, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel all worked to keep the lead. With the save, Kimbrel now has 19 this season.
Alexi Ogando came into the week with a perfect record of 7-0, but for the second time this week he took a loss. He made it through five innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk. For a guy with big strikeout numbers, he struck out just three Braves this afternoon.
Atlanta scored first on a 2-RBI single from Jason Heyward. Another run came in to score when first baseman Michael Young and catcher Yorvit Torrealba collided on an infield popup off the bat of Alex Gonzalez, which brought in Heyward from third.
Texas cut into the lead in the following inning. Nelson Cruz doubled, moved to third and then was driven in by Yorvitt Torrealba's single to left field. After a few innings of no offense, Josh Hamilton drove in Ian Kinsler to cut the lead to 3-2.
With runners on first and second and two outs, Freddie Freeman came up with a huge ground-rule double in the bottom of the seventh to give the Braves a 4-2 lead. Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel worked a quick final two innings, which sealed the Braves' 40th win of the season.
It's never good to lose a series at home, but the Rangers are a good club. The Toronto Blue Jays come to Atlanta Monday evening for a 3-game series. It'll be Tim Hudson against Ricky Romero in the opener.