Braves do the little things right in win over Giants

The Braves, behind future all-star Adam LaRoche, who went 4-4 with four extra base hits and three RBIs, defeated the Giants in what was an overall team effort in Atlanta.

After falling behind early, Atlanta never let the San Francisco get far ahead, tying the game up, in the bottom of the first on Chipper Jones' RBI ground out to second after Marcus Giles lead off with a double (taking third of a Renteria sac-bunt -although uncredited), and in fourth inning on LaRoche's second double of the game. The Braves, fuelled by James' strong outing, then took the lead in the sixth curtosy of LaRoche's triple scoring McCann and Francouer, and Langerhans added an insurance run delivering a misplaced, but successful, squeeze bunt single, which landed on the mound just out of reach of both outstretched pitcher Jack taschner (who had already charged on the play) and charging second baseman Ray Durham, who almost came up with it.
Chuck James looked impressive shutting down the Giants offense after the third inning, limiting them to two hits over the final four innings of his day, giving up just two runs (both coming on sacrifice flies) on six hits in seven innings (walking only two), to win his third straight decision giving him now five impressive starts in a row, and the Braves, a much needed reliable starting pitcher to accomplany Hudson and Smoltz in the rotation.
Chad Paronto then held the Giants scoreless in the top of the eight, but it wasn't nearly as convincing as the box score reads. Barry Bonds led off the inning with a base hit, and on a 2-2 count, next batter Ray Durham sent the pitch deep to straightaway centre field. Andruw Jones, however, vying for his ninth straight gold glove in centerfield, got a great jump on the ball, and in his own relaxed style, made a spectacular leaping grab over the wall to deny San Francisco from closing the gap to one run. The play will be definitely hitting a lot of highlight reels for not just tonight, but for years to come as Jones continues to show many people why he is being heralded as the best centerfielder in the game, and maybe of all time. Paronto settled down after the misplaced pitch to Durham, retiring the next two batters he faced to earn his seventh hold of the season.

Armando Benitez held the Braves scoreless in the bottom of the eight to set up the stage for the big man Bob Wickman, Atlanta's new shiny closer. Pitching with a three run lead, Wickman went right after the Giants hitters, but served up his first pitch of the evening to catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, which was placed over the right centerfield wall for a homerun, bringing the Giants back within two runs. He then retired the next two batters brining up veteran shortstop Omar Visquel, who after falling behind 0-2, singled on a line drive to left field bringing the tying run to the plate with Barry Bonds' spot on deck. Barry Bonds however, had already left the game an inning before via a pinch runner. Wickman then picked up the save as Shea Hillenbrand grounded out softly to Renteria to end the game. He is now 10 for 10 in saves as a Brave pitcher, with a 0.61 ERA over 14 1/3 innings.