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Reynolds' 7th-inning HR gets O's past Braves

Jul 4, 2011 - 1:05 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Mark Reynolds hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Atlanta Braves, 5-4, to avoid a three-game sweep at Turner Field.

Nick Markakis had a career day, going 5-for-5 with an RBI double, while starter Zach Britton worked six innings in a no-decision and contributed offensively with a pair of hits, including his first career home run.

Jim Johnson (5-1) gave up a run over two innings in relief to earn the victory for Baltimore, which snapped its five-game losing streak. Kevin Gregg tossed a perfect ninth to nail down his 15th save of the season.

Eric Hinske ripped a pinch-hit two-run single, while Brian McCann and Jordan Schafer added a pair of hits for the Braves.

Scott Proctor (1-2) surrendered the home run to Reynolds to absorb the loss and a blown save for Atlanta, whose five-game win streak came to an end.

The Orioles took the lead for good in the seventh when Reynolds cranked a middle-in fastball for his 18th homer of the season and a 5-4 lead.

"It's been frustrating the past couple of days, we feel like we've been swinging the bats well," Reynolds said. "When we swing well we don't get the pitching and when we don't swing well we get great pitching, but we got out of here with a win today, we'll have a happy flight to Texas, hopefully get one there and win some games to finish up strong before the break."

Atlanta came close to tying the game with two down in the bottom of the seventh when McCann roped a fastball deep to right. The ball hit off the top of the wall and McCann was thrown out at second once he realized he hadn't hit a home run.

Earlier, the Orioles opened the scoring in the third with some offense from an unlikely source. Britton led off the inning with a line-drive homer to right that just barely made it over the wall. They added another run on a sacrifice fly from Reynolds.

Baltimore extended its lead in the fifth, again sparked by Britton, who led off with a single. Braves' starter Brandon Beachy then plunked J.J. Hardy with a pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs. Markakis followed with an RBI double to right to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead.

Atlanta threatened in the bottom of the frame. Julio Lugo walked, pinch-hitter Wilkin Ramirez singled to left and Schafer dropped down a bunt single to load the bases with one out. Britton managed to escape trouble, though, as Jason Heyward cued a ball back to the mound for a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning.

The Braves roared back and took the lead in the sixth. Chipper Jones, who was selected to his seventh All-Star game on Sunday, walked and McCann, who received an All-Star nod for the sixth time, followed with a single. Freddie Freeman then hit an RBI single to cut the Orioles lead to 3-1.

Johnson was summoned from the bullpen and Atlanta picked up a second run in the inning on an RBI groundout by Lugo. The big hit in the inning came off the bat of Hinske, who slapped a two-run single just past the diving Blake Davis as second to give the Braves a 4-3 lead.

In the ninth, with two down and a 3-1 count on Jones, the seven-time All-Star was rung-up on two consecutive strike calls that appeared to be considerably off the plate.

"I've been here 18 years. I know what balls and strikes are," Jones said. "I know when guys are trying to pitch around me. He (rookie umpire Mark Ripperger) can stare me down all he wants. He made two bad calls."

Game Notes

Atlanta leads the all-time series with Baltimore 129-112...The Braves went 10-5 in interleague play this season while Orioles went 7-11 against National League opponents...In addition to McCann and Jones, pitchers Jonny Venters and Jair Jurrjens were named to the National League All-Star team for Atlanta, while the lone representative for Baltimore will be catcher Matt Wieters.