Simmons, Braves Snap Four-Game Losing Streak With 4-2 Win Over Baltimore

Atlanta used four double plays and a three-hit game from Andrelton Simmons to end its four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

An up and down night defensively for Atlanta started in the first, as Martin Prado made a slick grab to start a double play at first base. Not too bad for a guy who hadn't played first base since last season.

In the bottom of the inning, Brian McCann took Brian Matusz deep to right field with a solo home run, giving Atlanta a 1-0. The homer was McCann's ninth of the season.

Tommy Hanson battled some control issues and a very inconsistent strike zone from home plate umpire Darryl Cousins in the first couple of inning. Baltimore loaded the bases in both the second and third, but Hanson worked out of the jam each time.

The Orioles finally broke through in the fourth, thanks in part to an uncharacteristic error from Andrelton Simmons. Simmons made a nice stop on a grounder in the hole off the bat of Mark Reynolds, but his throw sailed high, causing Prado to have to go up and get it. Wilson Betemit followed with a double to center that Michael Bourn bobbled. Reynolds came around to score and Betemit made it all the way to third.

Betemit scored thanks to to a sacrifice fly from Steve Pearce. Credit to Jason Heyward, who made a great throw to the plate attempting to gun Pearce down. That gave Baltimore a 2-1 lead.

Back-to-back one out walks by Hanson in the sixth forced Fredi Gonzalez to use the hook on him, replacing Hanson with Chad Durbin. Durbin struck out Pearce and Matusz to end the frame.

The final line on Hanson was 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, and 2 K's.

Matt Diaz singled with one out in the sixth to get things going, and Andrelton Simmons launched the second home run of his career to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. Jack Wilson pinch hit for Durbin, and tripled to center, and scored on a Bourn single up the middle to make it a 4-2 game.

In his return to the big leagues, Kris Medlen threw two shutout innings of relief in the seventh and eighth.

Craig Kimbrel entered in the ninth, and recorded his 19th save of the season.