Jair Jurrjens struggled with his control in the first inning of last night’s game.  Jurrjens, who has really been the ace of this staff this season, allowed five runs in the first inning.  All of the runs scored with two out.  Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar committed throwing errors in the inning so only four of those runs were earned.

The Braves scored one run in the third inning off a single by Grego Blanco.  In the sixth, Blanco was in the mix again, he bunted for a base hit to lead off the inning.  Mike Pelfrey then walked Yunel Escobar and Chipper Jones.  Brian McCann grounded into a double play, but that scored Blanco and moved Escobar to third.  Escobar then scored on a wild pitch by Pelfrey.  However, Mark Kotsay lined out to left to end the inning.  The Braves didn’t really get much on Pelfrey as he allowed only three hits. 

The Braves wrap up the series at Shea tonight.  Mike Hampton will be on the mound for the Braves and the Mets will counter with Pedro Martinez.  The Braves have an opportunity to play spoiler as the Mets are in a fight for first with the Phillies holding only a game and a half lead over them.  The Phillies are playing the Nationals who have now lost something like 12 in a row.

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