Jurrjens, McCann Star as Braves Pound Phillies

The Braves got awesome pitching performances out of Jorge Campillo and Tim Hudson earlier this week when they won two out of three games in Florida.  Jair Jurrjens was the man of the hour tonight when they started a three-game series in Philadelphia.

Jurrjens was brilliant... absolutely brilliant.  So was the defense behind him... Omar Infante at third base for Chipper Jones, out with a sore hammy, making some great plays... same was true for Mark Texiexra at first and Yunel Escobar at shortstop.

Jurrjens didn't need a lot of help, really... he gave up just 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 6 Phillies in 8 innings of work.

Brian McCann, his battery mate, put a run on the board... a leadoff homer for the Braves catcher in the 4th inning. Texiexra singled home an insurance run in the 9th inning, then McCann put it way out of reach with a grand slam homer.  Kelly Johnson added another run with an rbi double... the Braves score 7 in the top of the 9th.

Ryan Howard had a 2-run homer off of Will Ohman in the bottom of the 9th, spoiling the shutout, but the Braves are happy with the 8-2 win.

Mike Hampton will pitch for the Braves Saturday afternoon... his first big league game since 2005.