Braves 6 - 4 White Sox
Final
  for this game

McCann's homer leads Braves past White Sox

Jul 20, 2013 - 4:25 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Brian McCann's three-run homer in the sixth inning lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

With John Danks (2-7) pitching for the White Sox and the game tied at 2-2, Joey Terdoslavich hit a leadoff single in the top of the sixth inning and Justin Upton singled to left three batters later. Both of them advanced on a wild pitch.

Next up was McCann, who hammered a changeup to right to give Atlanta the lead. Danks threw an array of fastballs, cutters and changeups, but McCann was able to connect on the 11th pitch of the at-bat and homered in his third straight game.

"Made a bad pitch. Kind of got to the point where, for a lack of better way of putting it, ran out of things to throw to him," said Danks.

Braves starter Tim Hudson (7-7) gave up four runs on eight hits and a pair of walks over 7 1/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel threw a hitless ninth to notch his 27th save.

"Some great defense behind me, had some really great plays," said Hudson. "I was able to make some pitches and then we got the three-run lead there and it makes my job easier."

The White Sox have lost three straight and eight of their last 11 games.

Atlanta got on the board in the third. Chris Johnson hit a leadoff single before Andrelton Simmons knocked a two-run homer to left.

The White Sox tied the game in the home half. Gordon Beckham singled to center to start but was forced out on a fielder's choice from Josh Phegley. After Alexei Ramirez delivered a base hit to left, Alex Rios ripped a two-run double to right-center field.

Chicago scored two runs in the eighth. Alejandro De Aza walked with one out, stole second, and scored on a double by Ramirez. Luis Avilan came in relief and got Adam Dunn to ground out, but Ramirez advanced to third. Jordan Walden replaced Avilan, but gave up an RBI single to Jeff Keppinger. Walden ended the rally by striking out Conor Gillaspie.

The Braves added one run in the ninth. Justin Upton singled to start the inning and later scored on Johnson's single to right.

In the home half, Kimbrel walked pinch-hitter Blake Tekotte with two outs, but struck out De Aza to end the game.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, the White Sox activated pitcher Jake Peavy from the 15-day disabled list. He is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Braves ... Danks pitched seven innings, allowing all five runs on seven hits. He has received just 28 runs of support over 11 starts this season ... Ramirez is on an eight-game hitting streak ... Hudson is 4-3 in nine starts against the White Sox, but has not won at U.S. Cellular Field since April 28, 2002, when he was a member of the Athletics ... Over his career, Hudson is 159-6 when he has received support of four or more runs while in the game.






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