Diaz, Heyward contribute to Atlanta's 4-1 win over Padres
Jair Jurrjens captured his third win of the season as the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 Tuesday night. Jurrjens (3-3) gave up just five hits and one run in seven innings of action, and Matt Diaz added the offence with three RBI.
This was Diaz's third straight game with a home run, and Jason Heyward added three hits of his own with an RBI. Diaz recently came off of thumb surgery and was activated off of the disabled list June 29. His four home runs this season have all come since his reactivation, and he has three home runs and eight RBI in his last three games.
Braves manager Bobby Cox commented after the game that Diaz is back to his old self again after struggling in the first half of the season with that injury. Cox missed the game due to a suspension.
"He's over that injury 100 percent," he said. "And you saw tonight what happened. He's been hot as heck."
Heyward is also coming off of a thumb injury and was on the disabled list until after the All-Star break. Heyward was chosen to his first All-Star game, but had to miss due to the injury. His three hits showed he was back in form after his injury as well.
"It's definitely nice to at least have what you need to be productive," he said.
The Braves were down 1-0 after Chris Denorfia hit a solo shot off Jurrjens in the second inning, their only run of the game. In the bottom of the fourth, Diaz hit his two-run shot after Troy Glaus drew a walk to lead off the inning. Later, in the bottom of the seventh, Heyward doubled to score Martin Prado, and Heyward got to third on the throw. Diaz then stepped up and knocked Heyward home with an RBI single.
Billy Wagner came on for his 22nd save of the season, pitching a perfect ninth.
Sweet revenge for Jurrjens
The last time Jurrjens faced the Padres, he was battered all around the park. In the April 12 match up, Jurrjens allowed eight runs in just three and a third innings which lead to a deflating 17-2 loss. Jurrjens said he wasn't quite season ready at that point.
"I wanted to come out this time and at least if they beat me they beat me 100 percent healthy," he said. "It took a really big weight off my back. That game in San Diego really bugged me the whole season."
David Eckstein to DL
Eckstein left the game with a right calf strain in the top of the second, and shortly after was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Before he knew it was certain, Eckstein voiced his unhappiness with the situation.
"It's definitely being considered," he said. "It's rough, especially during this time. That's the frustrating part."
The Padres second baseman and two-hole hitter will be missed as they try to hold onto their lead and stave off the Giants. He hasn't put up big power numbers all season with just one home run and 22 RBI, but has still been an important facet of their defense.
Jerry Hairston will move from shortstop to second base while he's out, and Everth Cabrera will play shortstop.
He missed a week before the All-Star break with a calf injury, and this appears to be a re-aggrevation of that injury.
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