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On the day Atlanta handed out Sid Bream bobble heads to commemorate his famous slide, the Braves made sure no late inning heroics were needed today against Toronto.
Atlanta used the long ball, including the first major league homer for Andrelton Simmons, and eight strong innings from Tommy Hanson to defeat the Blue Jays 5-2.
Drew Hutchison held the Braves scoreless until the third, when Atlanta finally broke through. Michael Bourn singled to center with one out, and advanced to second two batters later thanks to a Brian McCann walk. Dan Uggla followed and launched a fastball into the left-center field seats for a three-run homer. Uggla's 11th home run of the year gave Atlanta a 3-0 lead.
Hanson held Toronto scoreless until the sixth, when Jose Bautista struck for the second time in two games. After a Colby Rasmus single, Hanson hung a fastball at the letters and Bautista did what he does, turning on it and depositing it into the left field seats. His homer, the 17th of the season for Joey Bats, cut the lead to 3-2.
The defensive play of the day was made in the top of the seventh, when Jason Heyward came out of nowhere and made an incredible diving catch on a pop fly.
In the bottom of the inning, Atlanta added two more runs, the first coming on the Simmons homer. The typical first homer silent treatment occurred in the dugout, but credit for Heyward especially for going 100 percent. Jose Constanza followed with a bunt single, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Hanson. Michael Bourn cranked out his third hit of the game, a double that scored Constanza to make it a 5-2 game.
Hanson left after eight well pitched innings, finishing with a line of 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. That'll do just fine.
Craig Kimbrel closed things out in typical fashion, slamming the door in the ninth for his 18th save and Atlanta's sixth straight win. Have to mention Uggla's great diving stop in the ninth as well.
Sunday Note:
With Tim Hudson's start being pushed back due to a sore ankle, Julio Teheran will make his season debut on the mound tomorrow.