Series Recap: Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves

For the first time since July 16-18th against the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta lost a series. This time, the Braves' bats failed them and allowed the Dodgers to take two of three at Turner Field. Some notes:

It's pretty hard to win a series going 2-19 with runners in scoring position, and Atlanta found that out the hard way.

Ben Sheets had a rough go of it Saturday, allowing four hits in six innings. Not to mention that each of the four hits was a home run, and three of them came in a four pitch sequence in the second inning. With Tommy Hanson's decent start Friday, Sheets looks like the front-runner at the moment to be left out of the five-man rotation.

Michael Bourn was the only Brave to record a hit in all three games, going 4-10 with a triple, three walks, and a stolen base.

Atlanta managed to keep Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier in check, although it didn't help that much. The duo was only 1-21 at the plate, but walked a combined five times as well. The one hit was a home run by Ethier.

Mike Minor pitched great on Sunday, but just doesn't know how to win. The left-hander scattered five hits and one run over seven innings while walking none and striking out two.

Hanley Ramirez had a solid series, racking up four hits including a double and his two home runs on Saturday night.

Luis Cruz also had quite the series, going 6-11 with two home runs, a double, and two walks.

Can't forget to mention Juan Francisco and his Juan shining moment of the series. His walk-off single in the 11th inning allowed Atlanta to avoid the sweep and created all sorts of Juanderful pun opportunities .

Up next: Sitting five games back of the National League East leading Washington Nationals, Atlanta heads up to the nation's capitol for a critical three-game set against the Nats.