On Friday night, the Braves started the series against the Padres on the wrong foot losing 4-0, but they would come back yesterday and today to win 4-1 and 12-3. On Friday, Jo-Jo Reyes allowed two runs on five hits in four innings and Atlanta was unable to rally on offense. It was the ninth time this season the Braves have been shutout. The Padres Jake Peavy struck out seven and allowed four hits in a seven inning outing and Trevor Hoffman recorded his 17th save of the season. Then on Saturday, Atlanta would bounce back from the 4-0 loss to win 4-1 with Charlie Morton allowing one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. The game was tied at one going into the Sixth inning, but Jeff Francoeur came through with a two-out two-run single to put Atlanta ahead 3-1. Later shortstop Brent Lillibridge hit a solo homer in the 9th to solidify the 4-1 victory. It was Lillibridge’s first career home run and it was 394 feet given up by Joe Thatcher. Yunel Escobar is having an MRI on his left shoulder Monday and Omar Infante is on the disabled list until July 22nd so Lillibridge was able to start at shortstop throughout the series against San Diego. Former Brave Greg Maddux was on the mound for San Diego and after pitching seven innings in which he allowed three runs on six hits while striking out three and walking two, the former Atlanta veteran recorded his eighth loss of the season. Today, the Braves topped the Padres 12-3 to take the series two games to one. Atlanta ended the first-half of the season on a great note winning the game with their largest margin of victory this season. Brian McCann and Brent Lillibridge both had three hits each and eight players on the team had at least one RBI. The Braves took the lead early with a three-run First and then rallied for five runs in the Sixth. After topping on one run in the Seventh with a solo homer from McCann, the Braves tacked on three more in the Ninth to seal the 12-3 victory. Jorge Campillo went six innings giving up two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking two. Campillo is now 4 and 4 for the season. Tomorrow night is the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium followed by the All-Star Game on Tuesday night. The Braves do not resume action until Thursday night at Turner Field to start a three-game series against the Washington Nationals.
