Offline
ATLANTA -- Manager Fredi Gonzalez saw no reason he shouldnt let Evan Gattis swing with a 3-0 count in the first inning. One big swing from Gattis showed why he deserved that vote of confidence. Gattis hit a three-run homer and Chris Johnson followed with another long ball in the first, and the Braves edged the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Friday night for their first interleague win. The Braves were 0-6 against American League teams before taking advantage of four runs in the first on the two homers off C.J. Wilson (7-6), including a three-run shot by Gattis. There were two outs and two runners on when Gattis faced the 3-0 count against Wilson. Gonzalez relayed the green light. "The way hes swinging the bat, why not?" Gonzalez asked. Asked what pitch he was looking for, Gattis said "A pitch to handle." He said it didnt have to be in a certain location and added Wilson delivered "a decent pitch" on the inside to middle of the plate. Wilson didnt like the pitch. "That pitch just didnt move at all," Wilson said. "It was right down the middle. Obviously the guys got great power and hes on a tear right now." Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Wilson, who had a hit batter and a walk before the homer, was hurt by his poor control in the inning. "He almost worked his way out of it but C.J. just was behind in too many counts and it eventually caught up with him," Scioscia said. Wilson was in control after the ugly first inning. He gave up only three hits in five scoreless innings after the first. The homer over the left-field wall was the 14th for Gattis, leaving him tied for third place in the National League. He had two hits, giving him a 13-game hitting streak, Atlantas longest this season. Aaron Harang (5-5) allowed one run in six innings to end a streak of five consecutive starts without a win. Braves right fielder Jason Heyward left the game with a bruised right hand after being hit by a pitch from Wilson in the first inning. The Braves said X-rays were negative and Heyward is day to day. After being hit on the top of his hand leading off the first inning, Heyward remained in the game and scored on the homer by Gattis. He remained in the game on defence in the second before leaving in the bottom of the inning as Jordan Schafer was used as a pinch-hitter. "It gradually felt worse," Heyward said, adding hes relieved he didnt have a broken bone. The Angels trailed 4-1 before Albert Pujols had a two-run single off Shae Simmons in the eighth. Craig Kimbrel struck out Raul Ibanez to cap a perfect ninth inning for his 19th save. Harang, 36, earned his first win in eight career starts against the Angels. He was 0-4 with a 10.48 ERA in four 2013 starts for Seattle against the Angels. Harang gave up four hits and three walks with two strikeouts. The homer by Gattis drove in Heyward and Freddie Freeman, who walked. Johnson followed with his homer over the centre field wall for a 4-0 lead. Wilson had allowed only one homer in his last five starts before allowing the back-to-back shots. The Angels scored in the third when Hank Conger hit a leadoff double before moving to third and then scoring on two wild pitches from Harang. Braves centre fielder B.J. Upton dropped Kyle Calhouns liner for an error, helped Los Angeles in the eighth. Upton caught up to the ball but couldnt hold on when trying for a basket catch at his waist. Mike Trouts bloop double left runners on second and third with one out. Pujols, who has hit .347 in his career against the Braves, then punched a two-run single past second baseman Tommy La Stella. Simmons struck out Howie Kendrick and ended the inning on Erick Aybars grounder to first base. Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons left his feet to make a diving catch of a sharply hit grounder by Josh Hamilton in the sixth. Simmons bounced up to throw out Hamilton in a close play at first base. "That is probably one of the best plays Ive seen in a long time," Harang said. NOTES: Scioscia said LHP Tyler Skaggs (right hamstring) could return from the 15-day DL next weekend. ... Andrelton Simmons, who is from Curacao, sprinted through the clubhouse screaming "Goooaaaalll!" before the game when The Netherlands scored the go-ahead goal in their 5-1 World Cup victory over Spain. ... C Gerald Laird said his right jaw was sore after being hit by Corey Dickersons bat in Thursdays game at Colorado, but he has passed a concussion test and was available off the bench. ... OF Justin Upton (sore left hamstring) was 0-for-4 after missing Thursdays game. ... Atlantas Gavin Floyd will face Garrett Richards in a matchup of right-handers on Saturday night. Wholesale Indianapolis Colts Jerseys .com) - The Buffalo Bills will return to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday when they welcome the upstart Cleveland Browns to town. Adam Vinatieri Jersey . The game was the first of two international friendlies that Canada is playing during the international break, with the second game against Slovenia set for Tuesday in Celje. Canada looked uncomfortable defensively throughout the game, and every free kick that came into Canadas penalty box looked like ending up in the back of the net. It took five games, but the Celtics finally helped Stevens earn his first NBA victory. "Im going to celebrate for a whole 12 minutes, and then Im going to start watching Orlando and trying to figure them out," the first-year Celtics coach said after Boston beat the Utah Jazz, one of the leagues other winless teams, 97-87 on Wednesday night. Margus Hunt Jersey . The star receiver certainly isnt celebrating it with the Texans mired in a franchise-record 13-game skid. Jabaal Sheard Jersey .com) - Ben Lovejoy tallied a goal and an assist as the Anaheim Ducks cruised into the All-Star break with a 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames.BEIJING - Norways Thomas Ulsrud led from start to finish in defeating Sweden 8-3 to claim the gold medal Sunday at the world mens curling championship in Beijing. Canadas Kevin Koe had to settle for fourth place after falling 7-5 to Switzerland in the bronze-medal match. Koes Calgary rink came into the 10th end down by three, but couldnt muster the comeback, scoring just a single point in the final end against the Swiss team. Desspite failing to medal, Canadian coach Rick Lang said there was no reason to push any panic buttons, considering Canada has finished in the top six at every international curling event this season.dddddddddddd Koe also gave credit to his team. "Im proud of the guys. We had a great run. World championship, two Brier titles, a Brier final -- obviously this was very disappointing, but its been a great team." Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys China Wholesale Baseball Jerseys China Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys Near Me Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic MLB Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Throwback Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '