Atlanta Braves 7, San Francisco Giants 6

The Braves scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win a game that they should have won easily. Andruw Jones singled through a drawn-in infield to knock in Julio Franco with the game-winner.

The Braves led 4-1 going into the bottom of the 6th, but John Thomson tired after throwing 5 good innings. He allowed 2 runs in the 6th letting the Giants cut the lead to one. Thomson got a no-decision, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, no walks, and 2 strikeouts in 6 innings. In the 7th, the Gryboski/Martin combination allowed 3 runs, and it could have been more if Michael Tucker hadn't been thrown out at the plate for the Giants to end the inning. The Braves added a single run in the bottom of the 7th to cut the lead to 6-5.

In the bottom of the 9th, JD Drew singled to lead off the inning. Julio Franco followed with an RBI triple that was mishandled by Giants rightfielder Ricky Ledee, tying the game at 6 with no outs and a runner on third. The Giants were forced to bring in their infield and their outfield, and after Eli Marrero drew a walk, Andruw Jones got the game-winning single. Roman Colon (1-0) pitched a scoreless 9th inning, and he picked up his first career win.

Hitting stars: JD Drew was 3 for 4 with his 29th homer and 3 RBI. Andruw Jones, Julio Franco, and Nick Green each had 2 hits.

Game notes: Chipper Jones did not start the game and entered as a pinch-hitter late in the game because he and his wife's 3rd child was born in the morning.

The Braves took 3 out of 4 from the Giants, and have won 6 of their last 7.

The Braves now head to Philadelphia for a 2 game series. Mike Hampton goes up against Eric Milton tonight.