Jurrjens Pitches Braves Past Nationals
Welcome back, Jair Jurrjens... that's what the Atlanta Braves and their fans are saying tonight.
Jurrjens, who's been out of the lineup since April 29th with a hamstring injury, was back on the mound at Turner Field where the Braves and Washington Nationals wrapped up a three-game series.
Jurrjens looked as good as ever... maybe better. He had all of his pitches working, striking out 6 of the first 14 batters he faced.
Jurrjens swung a mighty mean bat, too. Doubles by Martin Prado and Brian McCann put the Braves on the scoreboard in the first inning.
Jurrjens batted with one out, runners at 1st and 2nd in the 4th inning. He squared to bunt, but pulled the bat back, and smacked a liner down the third base line for an RBI double.
Prado's sac fly gave Jurrjens and the Braves a 3-0 lead.
Jurrjens pitched into the 6th inning, giving up 4 hits, to go along with those 6 strikeouts and two walks. He turned that 3-0 lead over to the bullpen with nobody out and the bases loaded.
One of those runs scored as Peter Moylan got Pudge Rodriguez to hit into a double play then stuckout Alberto Gonzalez to put out the fire.
The Braves picked up another run on a 7th inning bases loaded walk.
Billy Wagner struck out the sice in the 9th to nail down the 4-1 Braves win. They take 2 out of 3 from the Nationals... winning another series... they're 12-1-3 in their lasts 16 series. Tomorrow is an off day... the Florida Marlins will be in Atlanta this weekend.
