Jace Peterson, Nick Markakis lead Braves over Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves found some offense Monday night as they handed the Los Angeles Dodgers a 7-5 defeat in the opening game of a three-game set at Turner Field.

Atlanta's offense had been in a month long slumber, but busted out in a big way on Monday. Nick Markakis got things going early launching his first home run of the season to stake Matt Wisler to an early 2-0 lead. The Braves tacked on two more runs in the fourth thanks to a bases loaded double by Jace Peterson that scored Eury Perez and Andrelton Simmons.

The Dodgers came right back against Wisler in the fifth. Austin Barnes and Alex Guerrero hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and third with one out. Joc Pederson followed with a ground ball to first baseman Joey Terdoslavich who came home to nab Barnes at the plate. Wisler wasn't able to wiggle all the way off the hook however as Howie Kendrick followed with a two-run double to make the score 4-2. Adrian Gonzalez then stepped to the plate and launched his 21st home run of the season scoring Kendrick and tying the game at four runs apiece.

The Braves went back to work in the fifth as Markakis led off the inning with a double. He later scored on an RBI single by Juan Uribe to put the Braves back in front. Atlanta added two more in the sixth as Peterson again came up with a big hit that scored Simmons and Pedro Ciriaco to make the score 7-4.

Jason Frasor pitched a perfect seventh before Atlanta's bullpen once again made things interesting. Andrew McKirahan replaced Frasor to start the eighth inning and promptly allowed back-to-back singles to Gonzalez and Justin Turner. Fredi Gonzalez then brought in Arodys Vizcaino to face pinch hitter Scott Van Slyke with two on and nobody out in the inning. Van Slyke singled to left but Eury Perez made a perfect throw home to get Gonzalez at the plate for the first out of the inning. Vizcaino then got Yasiel Puig to fly out and retired Jimmy Rollins to end the inning and the threat.

The ninth inning was another adventure as Jim Johnson replaced Vizcaino on the mound. He allowed three straight hits to Barnes, pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal and Pederson to load the bases. Johnson rallied though and got Kendrick to ground into a big 6-4-3 twin killing. Barnes scored on the play, but Atlanta would gladly trade the run for two outs in that situation. Johnson then got Gonzalez to ground out to first to end the threat and the game.

Wisler improves to 4-1 on the season after allowing eight hits and four runs in six innings of work. Johnson allowed three hits and a run but earned his seventh save of the season.

The series continues on Tuesday as Alex Wood takes the mound for Atlanta. He will be opposed by Dodgers starter Brett Anderson.