Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) – Braves rookie Jason Heyward hit the deciding two-run homer to break a tie game in the third and Tommy Hanson hurled eight strong innings, as Atlanta snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Houston to open a three-game weekend set. Nate Washington Jersey. Hanson (2-2) struck out seven and limited the Astros to four hits and two runs to continue a streak of two earned runs or less in each of his five starts this season. Heyward, meanwhile, hit his sixth homer of the year and had another robbed at the wall in right field by Hunter Pence in the eighth inning. Nate McLouth hit his seventh career leadoff home run to start the game. Braves pitching retired 17 of the last 18 batters with Billy Wagner picking up his second save of the year in the process. Brett Myers (1-2) lasted seven innings and gave up six hits and four runs — three earned — with four walks and five strikeouts to fall to 0-4 in his last seven starts in Atlanta. Pence and J.R. Towles had run-scoring singles early on for the Astros, who were most recently swept in a three-game series at home by the Reds. McLouth took the first pitch of the game over the center-field wall and Myers failed to retire either of the next two hitters before getting a double- play ball off the bat of Brian McCann. However, a Tommy Manzella error on Troy Glaus roller to short scored Martin Prado from third for an early 2-0 edge. Houston came right back in the top of the second with a pair of runs to tie it. Carlos Lee was plunked by a Hanson offering to start things off and three consecutive singles by Geoff Blum, Pence and Towles plated two runs. Manzella hit into a double play to kill the rally and Myers struck out to end the inning. Atlanta went back in front by two in the third with Glaus one-out walk followed by Heywards two-run blast over the center-field wall. After a Carlos Lee single to start the top of the fourth, Hanson set down 15 straight batters to reach the ninth and exited after 99 pitches. Wagner came in and worked around a one-out walk to Pedro Feliz to polish off the much- needed win. Game Notes Houston has split its season series with the Braves in each of the last three seasons…Astros first baseman Lance Berkman was held out of the lineup after tweaking his groin in the series finale with Cincinnati on Thursday. Geoff Blum got the start in Berkmans stead…The Braves were without infielder Yunel Escobar, who is day-to-day with a strained left adductor muscle…Heyward is among the NL leaders with 19 RBI through his first 22 games…McLouth was 2-for-3 with a walk and stole his first base of the season. It was also his first multi-hit game of the season. Antonio Gates Womens Jersey. 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Hamels (9-10) gave up just three hits to go with seven strikeouts and three walks to pick up his second straight win. Ryan Madson recorded his fifth save of the year. “Its grueling. You really discover who you are, what you can do, and what youre capable of,” Hamels said of being in close games. Darrius Heyward-Bey Nike Jersey. The fifth-seeded Halep, who lost the past two finals, did not face a single break point and broke Medina Garriguess serve five times. Halep is the only seeded player remaining in the tournament and the Romanian next faces qualifier Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, who advanced to the last four by beating Spains Garbine Muguruza Blanco 6-1, 6-4.LAKELAND, Fla. – With three weeks left to win the final spot in Detroits rotation, Nate Robertson has little doubt about his chances. The left-hander pitched three scoreless innings of relief Saturday, allowing one hit in the Tigers 10-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. “Its my job to lose,” he said. “I am not putting pressure on myself. I am fighting for a job. No pressure.” Robertson and Dontrelle Willis are candidates for the final spot behind Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Armando Galarraga and Jeremy Bonderman. Zach Miner and Rick Porcello also are in the mix. There could be two openings because Bonderman has a sore shoulder, but he threw 30 pitches Saturday in a game against Tigers minor leaguers and reported no pain. Bonderman will start Thursday against Atlanta. Willis didnt fare so well in his start against Toronto, allowing four runs in three innings while walking two. Robertson entered in the fourth and immediately allowed a hit, then made an error on a ground ball to put two on with none out. “I need to learn to pitch with men in scoring position, so I gave myself a chance,” Robertson said. “Nobody hit the ball hard. There were runners on base but no one was hitting screaming line drives up the middle. I am satisfied.” Robertson has had an up-and-down career with the Tigers. He won 13 games in 2006, then struggled to 9-13 in 2007 and 7-11 last year. He said he prefers to look at 2006 as a typical season. “Last year was an aberration,” Robertson said. “I just have to forget 2008 and think about 2006. Thats all I need to do.” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said the race for the fifth and possibly fourth spot if Bonderman isnt ready, is still wide open. Willis and Robertson have pitched on the same day all spring and Leyland ssaid it is time to separate the two. Peyton Manning Youth Jersey “Both of them need work,” Leyland said. Leyland said he was impressed with the way Willis fought back after allowing three runs in the first inning. “That was a great comeback by Dontrelle,” Leyland said. “He never caved in and just went about his business.” Toronto led 4-1 before Detroit scored two runs off Mike Maroth in the fifth. The ex-Tiger allowed seven hits – including Gerald Lairds homer – and walked three. Maroth is trying to come back from shoulder surgery. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston is hoping Maroth can claim a spot in Torontos rotation, but the lefty might be running out of time. “Mike struggled a bit,” Gaston said. “It wasnt a good day for him. He struggled to get the ball over the plate and went deep into too many counts.” Maroth was supposed to go three innings but was pulled in the sixth. “He needs to get it done now because we need to start getting more innings for more guys,” Gaston said. Mike Hessman homered for the Tigers in the seventh off Rick Bauer, who allowed four earned runs in 1 1-3 innings. Detroit finished with 14 hits. Adam Lind tripled for the Blue Jays. Notes: Porcello was expected to start Sunday in Viera against Washington in a major audition but was scratched after tearing skin on his index finger during fielding practice Saturday. Leyland said it was no cause for alarm and would likely set Porcello back only two days. Instead, Alfredo Figaro will get start. … Leyland said if they dont win starting roles, Porcello and 2008 top draft pick Ryan Perry could work out of the bullpen, where the Tigers are thin. … Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya is day-to-day with shoulder soreness. Leyland said he had no idea when Zumaya would throw again. ‘ ‘ ‘
