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Braves go after fourth straight win at Fenway

Jun 23, 2012 - 2:10 PM (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves go after their fourth straight win this evening when they continue a three-game set with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The Braves drew first blood in this series on Friday, as Jair Jurrjens returned to the major leagues and shut down the Red Sox in a 4-1 win.

Jurrjens (1-2), pitching in place of injured Brandon Beachy, gave up one run on only three hits over 7 2/3 innings in his first Atlanta start since April 23.

"He pitched really well. He pitched better than he has in a while," Red Sox outfielder Cody Ross said of Jurrjens.

Jason Heyward remained hot, as he collected three hits and drove in a pair of runs for the Braves, who entered this set after taking the final two contests of their series with the New York Yankees.

Heyward has an eight-game hitting streak and batting .448 (13-for-29) with eight extra-base hits in that span.

Jon Lester (4-5) took the loss for the Red Sox, who had a five-game winning streak snapped. The left-hander gave up three runs on 10 hits in seven innings, fanning five and walking one.

Getting the call for the Braves tonight will be righty Randall Delgado, who is 4-7 but has lost his last two starts. Delgado pitched well in defeat on Sunday against Baltimore, as he allowed just two runs and three hits in eight innings to lower his ERA to 4.12.

"A tremendous outing," Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think we took a big step forward with him. ... He was terrific."

Delgado, though, is 0-4 versus the AL with a with a 5.14 ERA.

This will be his first-ever start against the Red Sox, who will counter with lefty Franklin Morales.

After 22 relief appearances Morales was called upon to start in place of Josh Beckett on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs and did not get a decision, despite giving up two runs and four hits in five innings. He also struck out nine without walking a batter.

"We had a hunch he could perform well in that situation and he proved our hunch correct," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "He pitched five pretty good innings."

Boston took four of six from the Braves the last time these teams met back in 2009.