Braves Break Out for 13 Runs to Destroy Dodgers, 13-1

The Braves let out their offensive frustrations on Vicente Padilla and the Dodgers today, scoring 13 runs on 16 hits in route to a 13-1 win.

The Braves scored four runs in the third, fifth, and eighth innings, and added one in the sixth. In the third inning, Melky Cabrera doubled in one, Omar Infante singled in one, and Alex Gonzalez tripled in two. In the fifth, Brian McCann sac flied one in and Troy Glaus hit a three-run home run. In the sixth, Gonzalez sac flied one in. In the eighth, Gonzalez, Glaus, Eric Hinske, and Brooks Conrad each singled in a run for a total of 13.

Gonzalez went 2-3 with a triple and four RBIs. Glaus added four RBIs on a homer and a single. Infante had three more singles and an RBI. Melky and Conrad each had two hits and an RBI. With Jason Heyward getting a day off, Rick Ankiel hit second and reached base three times on a single and two walks. He was the only hitter not to record an RBI. The Braves had three extra base hits out of 16 total hits and four walks. They need to learn to even the offense out a little.

Jair Jurrjens pitched seven strong innings, allowing one run on two doubles and four singles, walking one and striking out seven. Neither double hurt him and he held the Dodgers scoreless until the seventh, when a single, hit by pitch, and walk loaded the bases with no outs. Brad Ausmus grounded into a double play that scored their only run. Jurrjens was very efficient, throwing a ton of strikes and actually getting nine grounders to four fly balls. This is the type of outing that can erase a little skepticism surrounding Jurrjens, and he seems to be doing it a little more often so far since his return. If he can do it more often and for the remainder of the season, I will be very excited to see what might be in store for him in 2011.

Mike Dunn and Cristhian Martinez each pitched a scoreless inning behind Jurrjens, resting the main bullpen arms for a day.

The Phillies and Mets play tonight with Kyle Kendrick and Mike Pelfrey starting. Tommy Hanson and Chad Billingsley square off tomorrow night with the Braves assured of at least a series tie against the Dodgers.