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 A.J. Pierzynski's three hits, including a solo home run in the
second inning, paced the Braves' offense in Atlanta's 4-3 victory
over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Pierzynski, 38 and in his 18th major league season, has 10 hits in
his past 13 at-bats, including 7-for-9 with two doubles and two RBIs
in the first two games of the Milwaukee series.
"I'm upset we've got to play a day game tomorrow," Braves manager
Fredi Gonzalez said. "We've got to give him a day off. But he's
swinging about as hot a bat as you want to do it. But we've got to
remember, he's 38 years old."
The catcher's efforts helped make things easier for left-hander
Manny Banuelos, who earned his first career victory by holding the
Brewers to a run on five hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings.
It was the second career start for Banuelos, who was forced to leave
his major league debut in the sixth inning last week when he was
plagued by cramps and dehydration.
"I'm pretty happy and it's pretty exciting," Banuelos said. "Getting
my first 'W' was pretty fun."
Banuelos gave up a first-inning home run to catcher Jonathan Lucroy
but stranded runners at the corners and put up zeros the rest of the
way. He gave way to the bullpen in the sixth after allowing a
one-out double to center fielder Carlos Gomez and a walk to first
baseman Adam Lind.
"I thought he did a nice job of mixing and matching," Gonzalez said.
"After the first inning, I thought he settled down really well."
Milwaukee got a run in the seventh against the Atlanta relief corps
but stranded runners at first and third when right-hander David
Carpenter struck out right fielder Ryan Braun to end the inning.
Brewers first baseman Adam Lind made it a one-run game with a solo
home run -- his team-leading 15th of the season -- in the eighth,
but Braves right-hander Jason Grilli closed the door with a perfect
ninth for his 24th save of the season.
"We're not being shut down here," said Brewers manager Craig
Counsell, whose team amassed 16 hits the past two games after
collecting 99 in the previous seven. "We had some chances tonight.
Some guys hit some balls good. It was a good ballgame tonight. Their
guy pitched well ... and Tyler (Cravy) pitched well, too."
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Cravy, making his second career start for Milwaukee, was effective
but nowhere near as dominant as he was in his major league debut
last month at St. Louis, where he allowed just a run on four hits
over seven innings.
He held the Braves to three runs in six innings Tuesday but gave up
eight hits and a walk while striking out three.
"Tyler was good," Counsell said. "He kept us in the game. He had
some quick innings going and two outs, they put together some
rallies. He did a nice job."
Cravy got the start in place of right-hander Matt Garza, who was
placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday due to right shoulder
tendinitis.
With an off day scheduled for Thursday and the All-Star break
starting Monday, Cravy wasn't sure where he stood going forward.
"I have no idea," he said. "I'm just along for the ride, really."
NOTES: Atlanta optioned OF Joey Terdoslavich and recalled RHP Mike
Foltynewicz from Triple-A Gwinnett. Foltynewicz allowed a run on two
hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday. ... The Brewers
activated OF Khris Davis from the 15-day disabled list, and he went
1-for-3 with a walk against the Braves. However, manager Craig
Counsell said Gerardo Parra would get "the bulk" of starts in left
for the time being. Parra had six consecutive multi-hit games before
striking out as a pinch hitter Tuesday. ... To make room for Davis
on the Brewers' roster, RHP David Goforth was optioned to Triple-A
Colorado Springs.
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