MLB
-
Teixeira, Braves get past punchless Dodgers
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Mark Teixeira's two-run single highlighted a four-run fifth inning, and the Atlanta Braves went on to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1, in the middle test of a three-game series at Turner Field.
Teixeira finished 2-for-4, while also doubling and scoring a run, and Mark Kotsay had a pair of hits and knocked in a run for the Braves, who have won three straight after losing the previous three.
The club got a solid outing from Chuck James (1-1), who tossed five innings of one-run, four-hit ball. Jorge Campillo followed with two scoreless frames, Blaine Boyer worked the eighth and Manny Acosta picked up his first major league save, allowing one hit in the ninth.
The loss went to Chad Billingsley (0-3), who allowed four runs on six hits over five innings of work for the Dodgers. He walked five but fanned nine, tying a career high.
Andruw Jones accounted for the lone Dodgers' run with a solo homer against his former team. Los Angeles has now dropped four of its last six games.
The Dodgers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on Jones' homer, his first of the season.
Atlanta, which put runners at the corners but failed to score in the home half, suddenly came alive in the fifth.
Kelly Johnson worked a one-out walk, Yunel Escobar singled and Chipper Jones also drew a free pass. Teixeira followed with a two-run single to left, and after Brian McCann walked to re-load the bags, Jeff Francoeur's ground out made it 3-0.
Kotsay's single to right then scored Teixeira, but McCann was gunned down at home to end the inning.
The Dodgers managed just three hits the rest of the way. Game Notes
Gregor Blanco had two hits for the Braves...Chipper Jones has hit safely in 11 straight games and in 16 of 17 games he has played this year...Escobar has a 12-game hitting streak for Atlanta... The Braves took four of the seven meetings with LA last season. They were 2-1 against the Dodgers at Turner Field.
04/19 19:04:53 ET