The Braves could not afford to let another game get away from them with the last place Houston Astros in town. Thanks to a strong start from Kris Medlen and some timely hitting, Atlanta went on to win 6-1 to improve to 62-46 on the season.
Medlen worked 5.1 innings of one-run ball. He surrendered just five hits and two walks, striking out six. His ERA is now down to 2.37 for the season. The Braves' bullpen continued its good work, tossing the final 4.2 innings without allowing a run to score.
David Ross hit a solo homer in the second inning to give his club a 1-0 lead. Justin Maxwell doubled in the sixth against Cory Gearrin to tie it at 1-1. Atlanta mounted a nice rally in the bottom half of the frame, capped by a two-run single from Paul Janish. Chipper Jones then added an RBI-double down the left field line in the seventh inning to make it 5-1.
Michael Bourn added an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI-single to right. Cristhian Martinez entered in the ninth and sealed a victory, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
With the win, Atlanta ended their 10-game home stand with a very solid record of 8-2. They'll now hit the road for a three-game series with the Phillies. It'll be Ben Sheets and Vance Worley on the mound on Monday night.
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