Cubs 4, Braves 2

The Braves made it three straight losses after a 4-2 loss in the series opener against the Cubs.

Jair Jurrjens struggled early and it cost him the game, allowing two runs in the first on a two-run home run by Derrek Lee, and two in the second on an RBI double by Kosuke Fukudome and an RBI single by Ryan Theriot. Those were the only runs scored by the Cubs, but they were two more than the Braves would score.

Yunel Escobar singled in a run in the fourth to break the shutout. Nate McLouth hit a solo homer in the fifth but had a rather questionable at bat later in the game, lining out on a bunt attempt with a runner on first. The Braves once again matched the opposing team in hits but once again left a lot on base.

Jair Jurrjens: L (6-7), 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, K
Peter Moylan: 1 IP, H, BB, K
Manny Acosta: 1 IP, H, K

Jurrjens settled down after the rough first two innings to last six. He only struck out one and walked three.

Nate McLouth: 3-5, HR
Yunel Escobar: 2-3, RBI

I blame the loss on Martin Prado for not having four hits and three RBIs tonight. Oh, and Matt Diaz too. The Braves went 1-7 w/RISP and left eight on base. At least Diaz stayed in right field against a righty. That makes me happy. But he went 0-4 so we won't see him for a week.

Notable Cubs:
Randy Wells: W (4-3), 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Derrek Lee: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI

Notable Stat:
Brooks Conrad saw as many pitches in a pinch hit at bat as Casey Kotchman saw in four at bats.

Next Game:
7/7: @ Cubs, 8:05 (Javier Vazquez vs. Ryan Dempster)