Final
Johnson, Braves take series from Cubs
Jul 14, 2014 - 12:14 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Johnson's three-run homer fueled a four-run third inning and helped the Atlanta Braves take a 10-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game set.Johnson finished with three hits and three runs scored and Tommy La Stella supplied a three-run double among his three hits for the Braves, who won three of their final four games before the All-Star break.
"We had a pretty good first half," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We have to enjoy this break and come out in the second half and keep firing."
Starter Julio Teheran (9-6) earned the win despite giving up four runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts across seven innings.
Chris Coghlan and Arismendy Alcantara both homered for Chicago, which dropped the final two games of the series. Starter Travis Wood (7-8) was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits and three walks in six frames.
"They just found holes," said Wood. "I made a bad pitch to Johnson in the third and he did his job."
Jason Heyward was safe on a force out and Johnson and La Stella both singled to load the bases in the second. Gerald Laird's double down the left-field line drove in two runs and Teheran's groundout brought home La Stella for a 3-0 lead.
The Braves added four more runs in the third. Andrelton Simmons walked and Justin Upton singled two batters later. Heyward's RBI base hit scored Simmons, and Johnson stepped up to the plated and crushed a fastball to center for a 7-0 advantage.
Alcantara's first career homer to right scored Coghlan, who opened the frame with a single, and made it a 7-2 game.
Atlanta made it a 10-2 contest in the seventh. Simmons took a leadoff walk from Zac Rosscup, Upton hit a one-out double and Johnson was intentionally walked to load the bases. La Stella hit a line drive to right for a bases- clearing double.
Chicago scored two runs in the seventh and three runs in the eighth to get within three. Coghlan crushed a two-run shot to right-center field in the seventh.
In the eighth, Ryan Sweeney worked a bases-loaded walk off Shae Simmons and John Baker's two-run double off Jordan Walden to right made it a 10-7 game.
Craig Kimbrel spun a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his league-leading 29th save of the season.
Game Notes
Atlanta suspended second baseman Dan Uggla for the series finale and selected the contract of infielder Phil Gosselin from Triple-A Gwinnett ... Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro played in his 700th career game ... The Braves won the season series, 5-1 ... In the final two games of the set, Johnson drove in seven runs, homered three times and scored five runs ... Washington reliever Tyler Clippard replaced Teheran on the NL All-Star roster due his Sunday start.
- ATLANTA: 10
CHICAGO: 7
Final
Jul 13 5:40 PM - John Baker double to right scored Luis Valbuena and Ryan Sweeney. Runner on second with two outs and Junior Lake due up.
Braves 10, Cubs 7 Bot 8, 2 OutsJul 13 5:18 PM - Ryan Sweeney walked Anthony Rizzo scored on the play. Bases loaded with one out and John Baker due up.
Braves 10, Cubs 5 Bot 8, 1 OutJul 13 5:11 PM - Chris Coghlan two-out, two-run Home Run (5) to right center scored Junior Lake. Arismendy Alcantara due up.
Braves 10, Cubs 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsJul 13 4:46 PM - Tommy LaStella double to right scored Andrelton Simmons, Justin Upton and Chris Johnson. Runner on second with two outs and Gerald Laird due up.
Braves 10, Cubs 2 Top 7, 2 OutsJul 13 4:31 PM - Arismendy Alcantara none-out, two-run Home Run (1) to right scored Chris Coghlan. Anthony Rizzo due up.
Braves 7, Cubs 2 Bot 6, 0 OutsJul 13 4:09 PM - Chris Johnson one-out, three-run Home Run (6) to center scored Justin Upton and Jason Heyward. Tommy LaStella due up.
Braves 7, Cubs 0 Top 3, 1 OutJul 13 3:16 PM - Jason Heyward single to right scored Andrelton Simmons. On the play, Justin Upton advances to third. Runners on first and third with one out and Chris Johnson due up.
Braves 4, Cubs 0 Top 3, 1 OutJul 13 3:13 PM - Julio Teheran ground out third to first scored Tommy LaStella. On the play, Gerald Laird advances to third. Runner on third with two outs and B.J. Upton due up.
Braves 3, Cubs 0 Top 2, 2 OutsJul 13 2:56 PM - Gerald Laird double to left scored Jason Heyward and Chris Johnson. On the play, Tommy LaStella advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Julio Teheran due up.
Braves 2, Cubs 0 Top 2, 1 OutJul 13 2:54 PM - ATLANTA: 0
CHICAGO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 13 2:23 PM
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