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After back-to-back blowout wins, Atlanta relied on yet another great pitching performance and some early offense to beat Arizona 3-2.
Tommy Hanson threw seven innings, working primarily with his fastball and slider. The right-hander coaxed six swings and misses on the slider from Diamondback hitters. Atlanta's offense didn't come close to matching its run output of the first two games, but that wasn't needed thanks to Hanson and company.
Singles from Michael Bourn and Martin Prado put runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the first. After a Freddie Freeman strikeout, Brian McCann reached on an error to load the bases. Two batters later, Chipper Jones worked a walk from Arizona starter Joe Saunders. That made it 1-0 in favor of the Braves.
The Diamondbacks got that run back in the bottom of the inning, as Gerardo Parra singled with one out and advanced to third on a double from Justin Upton. Miguel Montero's grounder to Freeman allowed Parra to come in and score, tying the game at one.
In the second, Jack Wilson started things with a single, and advanced to third on a sacrifice from Hanson and a grounder from Bourn. Prado followed with a single right up the middle, making it a 2-1 game.
Jason Kubel launched a backside home run to left in the bottom of second, tying it again at 2-2.
Atlanta took the lead for good in the top of third, as Dan Uggla crushed his third home run of the season into the left field seats, making it 3-2 Braves.
Hanson cruised from there, exiting after the seventh inning with a line of 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. He retired the last 13 batters he faced.
Saunders came close to matching Hanson, also pitching seven innings while giving up six hits, three runs (two earned), one walk, and five strikeouts.
From there, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel took care of the rest. Both were absolutely filthy, striking out the side in the eighth and ninth innings respectively. Having to face those guys when they're on just isn't fair.
Atlanta goes for the sweep tomorrow afternoon at 4:10 pm ET.