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Mather powers Braves past Angels in 12 innings

May 22, 2011 - 6:35 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Joe Mather went 4-for-6 with a three-run homer and drove in the game-winning run in the 12th inning, carrying the Braves over the Angels, 5-4, in the middle test of a three-game interleague series.

Alex Gonzalez singled off Trevor Bell (1-1) with two outs in the 12th and went to second on Alexi Amarista's error. Gonzalez scored without a play at the plate when Mather placed a double down the right-field line, and Craig Kimbrel shook off a leadoff walk in the bottom half to post his 12th save of the year.

The win, which snapped Atlanta's three-game slide, was credited to Scott Proctor (1-0) for his perfect 11th inning in relief.

Bobby Abreu hit a two-run homer for the Angels, who had snapped a five-game losing streak with a 9-0 win in the series opener.

Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson gave up a season-high four runs on five hits and four walks in six innings, but was taken off the hook when Atlanta finally solved Joel Pineiro in the seventh.

Freddie Freeman and Alex Gonzalez each singled to open the inning, and Mather followed by taking Pineiro deep into the bullpen beyond the left-field wall, ending the Braves' 15-inning scoreless streak in the series.

"The only slider I hung was the home run. It seemed like all the pitches I left up were in that one inning, and they made me pay for it," said Pineiro, whose final line ended with 11 hits allowed, two strikeouts and no walks.

Martin Prado chased the Angels starter from the game with a one-out ground- rule double, and Hisanori Takahashi gave up the tying hit, a one-hopper to the wall in left-center off the bat of Brian McCann.

Atlanta's bullpen took over from there, allowing just three walks in six hitless frames.

"For us to pull this one out is big. We got big hits and our bullpen kept us in it," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Abreu found the first row of seats beyond the low porch in right for a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Erick Aybar was hit by a pitch prior to the blast.

Torii Hunter singled in Maicer Izturis and Abreu in the fifth to give the Angels a 4-0 lead.

Game Notes

Hanson struck out seven...Mather's home run was his first since September 1, 2008, which coincidentally came against Pineiro...Proctor picked up his first win since September 18, 2008 when he pitched for the Dodgers...The Braves had 12 more hits in the game (17-5).