Braves jump on Santana to top Mets
Source: Agencies |
August 4, 2010, Wednesday
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THE Atlanta Braves got the best of pitcher Johan Santana with three runs in the first inning to cruise to a 4-1 victory over the New York Mets on Monday.
Outfielder Rick Ankiel went 2-for-4 and sparked the onslaught with a two-run single in his first game at Turner Field since being acquired from Kansas City on Saturday.
"It's good to get that first one out of the way," Ankiel said of his first hit with his new team. "Fortunately for me, there were runners on."
Braves veteran Chipper Jones added a solo home run against the left-hander in the seventh as Santana finished the night with 11 strikeouts from seven innings.
Having allowed 13 hits and seven runs to the St Louis Cardinals last week, Santana (8-6) rebounded strongly but was left in the shade by Atlanta's right-hander Tim Hudson.
Hudson improved to 12-5 for the season after tossing six innings and allowing just one run.
Elsewhere in the National League, it was: Reds 4, Pirates 0; Brewers 18, Cubs 1; Astros 9, Cardinals 4; Nationals 3, Diamondbacks 1; and Padres 10, Dodgers 5.
In the American League, it was: Blue Jays 8, Yankees 6; Indians 6, Red Sox 5; Rays 4, Twins 2; and Athletics 6, Royals 0.
In Atlanta, closer Billy Wagner came on in the ninth to record his 25th save of the season and the Braves (60-45) were able to extend their NL East lead to three games, despite notching six losses from their recent nine-game road trip.
Division race
That poor stretch allowed the Philadelphia Phillies to draw near in the division race, but the Braves are a different outfit at home where they own the best record in baseball at 35-13.
"We're winning. We're in contention. There are butts in the seats," Jones said. "There's electricity in the air, and the team has responded well."
The only somber news for Atlanta has been an injury to All-Star second baseman Martin Prado, now on the 15-day disabled list after fracturing a finger on Friday.
The Mets have slid to seven games behind Atlanta in the division.
The Mets lost their second straight and 10th in 14, and have won only six of their last 23 games.
In St Petersburg, Florida, Jeremy Hellickson won his major league debut and Matt Joyce drove in a pair of runs as Tampa Bay won to end the Twins' eight-game winning streak.
Hellickson (1-0) allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings, helping the Rays win for the ninth time in 10 games. Dan Wheeler got the final two outs for his third save.
Jason Kubel homered and had two RBI for the Twins, while Carl Pavano (13-7) gave up four runs and nine hits over six innings. He had been 8-0 in his previous 10 starts.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer was out of the lineup for the second straight game after receiving a cortisone shot in his right shoulder on Saturday. The reigning AL MVP, dealing with tendinitis since he took a foul tip off the shoulder, could start today.
Outfielder Rick Ankiel went 2-for-4 and sparked the onslaught with a two-run single in his first game at Turner Field since being acquired from Kansas City on Saturday.
"It's good to get that first one out of the way," Ankiel said of his first hit with his new team. "Fortunately for me, there were runners on."
Braves veteran Chipper Jones added a solo home run against the left-hander in the seventh as Santana finished the night with 11 strikeouts from seven innings.
Having allowed 13 hits and seven runs to the St Louis Cardinals last week, Santana (8-6) rebounded strongly but was left in the shade by Atlanta's right-hander Tim Hudson.
Hudson improved to 12-5 for the season after tossing six innings and allowing just one run.
Elsewhere in the National League, it was: Reds 4, Pirates 0; Brewers 18, Cubs 1; Astros 9, Cardinals 4; Nationals 3, Diamondbacks 1; and Padres 10, Dodgers 5.
In the American League, it was: Blue Jays 8, Yankees 6; Indians 6, Red Sox 5; Rays 4, Twins 2; and Athletics 6, Royals 0.
In Atlanta, closer Billy Wagner came on in the ninth to record his 25th save of the season and the Braves (60-45) were able to extend their NL East lead to three games, despite notching six losses from their recent nine-game road trip.
Division race
That poor stretch allowed the Philadelphia Phillies to draw near in the division race, but the Braves are a different outfit at home where they own the best record in baseball at 35-13.
"We're winning. We're in contention. There are butts in the seats," Jones said. "There's electricity in the air, and the team has responded well."
The only somber news for Atlanta has been an injury to All-Star second baseman Martin Prado, now on the 15-day disabled list after fracturing a finger on Friday.
The Mets have slid to seven games behind Atlanta in the division.
The Mets lost their second straight and 10th in 14, and have won only six of their last 23 games.
In St Petersburg, Florida, Jeremy Hellickson won his major league debut and Matt Joyce drove in a pair of runs as Tampa Bay won to end the Twins' eight-game winning streak.
Hellickson (1-0) allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings, helping the Rays win for the ninth time in 10 games. Dan Wheeler got the final two outs for his third save.
Jason Kubel homered and had two RBI for the Twins, while Carl Pavano (13-7) gave up four runs and nine hits over six innings. He had been 8-0 in his previous 10 starts.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer was out of the lineup for the second straight game after receiving a cortisone shot in his right shoulder on Saturday. The reigning AL MVP, dealing with tendinitis since he took a foul tip off the shoulder, could start today.
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