ATLANTA – Adrian Gonzalez hit a game-tying two-run home run in the top of the fifth, but former Dodger, Juan Uribe singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom half and the Braves went on to beat Los Angeles 7-5 on Monday Night at Turner Field.
Jace Pederson had three RBIs and Nick Markakis hit his first homer in a Braves uniform as the team bounced back from frustrating fifth inning that saw Atlanta blow a four-run lead.
Braves' starter Matt Wisler was cruising along until he ran into a buzz saw the third time down the lineup. Howie Kendrick hit a two-run double before Gonzalez tied the game with his 21st long ball of the season.
"We battled back, but they got some key hits and made it tough on us," Gonzalez said. "We played our hardest, we didn't give up, we battled to the end, but just came up a little short today."
The lead would not last long as former Dodger and clubhouse favorite, Juan Uribe, known affectionately to the team as "Papi," knocked in the go-ahead run off Adam Liberatore in the bottom half of the fifth.
Former Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy made his second start since returning from two Tommy John surgeries, and his return to Georgia was less than peachy.
Beachy allowed four runs on five hits in four innings, ending the Dodgers streak of back-to-back shutouts after co-players of the week Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke put up zeros over the weekend against the Nationals.
"I wouldn't be taking the ball and going on the mound if I didn't think throwing a complete game shutout is realistic," Beachy said about following his teammates performances. "If I'm executing my stuff I should be able to get there."
Austin Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City before the game and started behind the plate for the injured Yasmani Grandal and A.J. Ellis. Barnes went 2-for-4 in just his second start in the big leagues.
Grandal was hit in the jaw by a foul ball on Sunday against the Nationals, and A.J. Ellis was placed on the 15-day DL with right knee inflammation after diving for a foul ball after replacing Grandal behind the plate.
All X-rays and tests on Grandal's jaw came back negative and the Cuban catcher was able to pinch-hit in the top of the ninth, singling to left field in his only appearance of the game.
Los Angeles added a run in the top of the ninth after Kendrick grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs.
Jim Johnson picked up his seventh save for Atlanta, but ended a streak of 18 scoreless innings when he allowed the run in the top of the ninth.
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