NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: O Palmeiro hit for B Moehler. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 7 HOUSTON 2 BOTTOM, 8TH DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: O Palmeiro (.238, 0 HR, 6 RBI)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - ATLANTA 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 0 7 10 0 HOUSTON 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 7 1 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: ATL - TYLER YATES HOU - BRIAN MOEHLER (OUT) DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: B JONES (.091, 1-FOR-4, 3 RBI) M PRADO (.293, 1-FOR-4) C MILLER (.269, 1-FOR-3, BB)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">ATLANTA (7) VS HOUSTON (2) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS ATLANTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg W Harris cf 4 0 0 0 1 3 2 .276 Y Escobar ss 5 2 2 0 0 1 2 .331 C Jones 3b 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 .339 C Woodward 3b 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 .201 M Teixeira 1b 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 .322 S Thorman pr-1b 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 .219 J Francoeur rf 3 1 1 3 1 1 4 .292 M Diaz pr-rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .339 B Jones lf 4 0 1 3 0 1 4 .091 M Prado 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .293 C Miller c 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .269 J Reyes p 4 0 0 0 0 3 1 .158 J Devine p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 T Yates p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 35 7 10 7 6 12 20 BATTING: 2B - Y Escobar 2 (24, M Albers 2); C Jones (42, M Albers); C Miller (2, M Albers); M Teixeira (9, S Randolph); B Jones (1, S Randolph); C Woodward (6, B Moehler). HR - J Francoeur (19, 5th inning off M Albers 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - J Francoeur 3 (105), B Jones 3 (4), M Teixeira (56). 2-out RBI - M Teixeira, B Jones 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Diaz 1, M Prado 2, Y Escobar 1, B Jones 2. Team LOB - 10. FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Jones-M Prado-M Teixeira). HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Anderson cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .373 C Biggio 2b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .250 L Berkman 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .278 E Bruntlett 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248 C Lee lf 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 .304 L Scott lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .255 H Pence rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .324 M Loretta ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .286 B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235 T Wigginton 3b-1b 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 .288 J Towles c 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .368 M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 1 4 .069 S Randolph p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 D Sarfate p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 C Burke ss 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .232 Totals 30 2 7 2 3 4 12 a-popped out to shortstop for B Moehler in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - C Lee (43, J Reyes); T Wigginton (12, J Reyes). RBI - T Wigginton (18), M Loretta (41). 2-out RBI - T Wigginton. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Berkman 2, M Albers 2. GIDP - L Berkman. Team LOB - 7. BASERUNNING: SB - C Lee (10, 2nd base off J Reyes/C Miller). FIELDING: E - M Albers (1, catch). ---------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA - 002 023 00 -- 7 HOUSTON - 010 100 00 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA ip h r er bb so hr era J Reyes 6 2/3 7 2 2 2 3 0 6.22 J Devine 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.12 T Yates 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.18 HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era M Albers 5 6 4 3 4 8 1 5.86 S Randolph 2/3 3 3 3 2 1 0 12.15 D Sarfate 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 B Moehler 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.14 IBB - M Teixeira (by M Albers), J Towles (by J Reyes), J Francoeur (by S Randolph). Pitches-strikes: J Reyes 106-71; J Devine 7-2; T Yates 9-6; M Albers 103-62; S Randolph 29-12; D Sarfate 5-3; B Moehler 17-14. Ground balls-fly balls: J Reyes 11-6; J Devine 0-1; T Yates 1-1; M Albers 4-3; S Randolph 1-0; D Sarfate 0-0; B Moehler 1-3. Batters faced: J Reyes 28; J Devine 2; T Yates 3; M Albers 26; S Randolph 7; D Sarfate 1; B Moehler 7. UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl Cousins. Weather: 85 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from center.</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE HOU: MARK MCLEMORE (3-0, 4.09) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2 DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: B JONES (.091, 1-FOR-4, 3 RBI)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: M McLemore relieved B Moehler. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 7 HOUSTON 2 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR ATLANTA: B Jones (.091, 1-FOR-4, 3 RBI)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - ATLANTA 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 0 0 7 10 0 HOUSTON 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 7 1 (BOT 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: ATL - TYLER YATES HOU - MARK MCLEMORE DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: T WIGGINTON (.288, 1-FOR-3, RBI) J TOWLES (.368, 0-FOR-2, BB) C BURKE (.232, 0-FOR-0, BB)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">ATLANTA (7) VS HOUSTON (2) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS ATLANTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg W Harris cf 4 0 0 0 1 3 2 .276 Y Escobar ss 5 2 2 0 0 1 2 .331 C Jones 3b 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 .339 C Woodward 3b 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 .201 M Teixeira 1b 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 .322 S Thorman pr-1b 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 .219 J Francoeur rf 3 1 1 3 1 1 4 .292 M Diaz pr-rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .339 B Jones lf 5 0 1 3 0 1 4 .083 M Prado 2b 5 0 1 0 0 1 3 .288 C Miller c 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 .259 J Reyes p 4 0 0 0 0 3 1 .158 J Devine p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 T Yates p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 38 7 10 7 6 12 20 BATTING: 2B - Y Escobar 2 (24, M Albers 2); C Jones (42, M Albers); C Miller (2, M Albers); M Teixeira (9, S Randolph); B Jones (1, S Randolph); C Woodward (6, B Moehler). HR - J Francoeur (19, 5th inning off M Albers 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - J Francoeur 3 (105), B Jones 3 (4), M Teixeira (56). 2-out RBI - M Teixeira, B Jones 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Diaz 1, M Prado 2, Y Escobar 1, B Jones 2. Team LOB - 10. FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Jones-M Prado-M Teixeira). HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Anderson cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .373 C Biggio 2b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .250 L Berkman 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .278 E Bruntlett 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248 C Lee lf 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 .304 L Scott lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .255 H Pence rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .324 M Loretta ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .286 B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235 M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 T Wigginton 3b-1b 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 .288 J Towles c 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .368 M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 1 4 .069 S Randolph p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 D Sarfate p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 C Burke ss 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .232 Totals 30 2 7 2 3 4 12 a-popped out to shortstop for B Moehler in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - C Lee (43, J Reyes); T Wigginton (12, J Reyes). RBI - T Wigginton (18), M Loretta (41). 2-out RBI - T Wigginton. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Berkman 2, M Albers 2. GIDP - L Berkman. Team LOB - 7. BASERUNNING: SB - C Lee (10, 2nd base off J Reyes/C Miller). FIELDING: E - M Albers (1, catch). ---------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA - 002 023 000 -- 7 HOUSTON - 010 100 00 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA ip h r er bb so hr era J Reyes 6 2/3 7 2 2 2 3 0 6.22 J Devine 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.12 T Yates 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.18 HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era M Albers 5 6 4 3 4 8 1 5.86 S Randolph 2/3 3 3 3 2 1 0 12.15 D Sarfate 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 B Moehler 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.14 M McLemore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.97 IBB - M Teixeira (by M Albers), J Towles (by J Reyes), J Francoeur (by S Randolph). Pitches-strikes: J Reyes 106-71; J Devine 7-2; T Yates 9-6; M Albers 103-62; S Randolph 29-12; D Sarfate 5-3; B Moehler 17-14; M McLemore 9-7. Ground balls-fly balls: J Reyes 11-6; J Devine 0-1; T Yates 1-1; M Albers 4-3; S Randolph 1-0; D Sarfate 0-0; B Moehler 1-3; M McLemore 2-1. Batters faced: J Reyes 28; J Devine 2; T Yates 3; M Albers 26; S Randolph 7; D Sarfate 1; B Moehler 7; M McLemore 3. UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl Cousins. Weather: 85 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from center.</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE ATL: OCTAVIO DOTEL (0-0, 5.40) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2 DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: T WIGGINTON (.288, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: O Dotel relieved T Yates. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: ATLANTA 7 HOUSTON 2 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: T Wigginton (.288, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - ATLANTA 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 0 0 7 10 0 HOUSTON 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: ATL - JO-JO REYES, JOEY DEVINE (7TH), TYLER YATES (8TH), OCTAVIO DOTEL (9TH) AND CORKY MILLER HOU - MATT ALBERS, STEPHEN RANDOLPH (6TH), DENNIS SARFATE (6TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (7TH), MARK MCLEMORE (9TH) AND J.R. TOWLES HOME RUNS: ATL - JEFF FRANCOEUR (19) OFF MATT ALBERS IN THE 5TH, 1 ON HOU - NONE</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">NL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - ATLANTA 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 0 0 7 10 0 HOUSTON 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: ATL - JO-JO REYES, JOEY DEVINE (7TH), TYLER YATES (8TH), OCTAVIO DOTEL (9TH) AND CORKY MILLER HOU - MATT ALBERS, STEPHEN RANDOLPH (6TH), DENNIS SARFATE (6TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (7TH), MARK MCLEMORE (9TH) AND J.R. TOWLES WP - JO-JO REYES (2-2) LP - MATT ALBERS (4-11) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: ATL - JEFF FRANCOEUR (19) OFF MATT ALBERS IN THE 5TH, 1 ON HOU - NONE TIME: 3:00 ATT: 43,011 PROBABLES: ATL - JEFF BENNETT (2-0, 2.57) HOU - BRANDON BACKE (2-1, 4.37)</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">ATLANTA (7) VS HOUSTON (2) - FINAL ATLANTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg W Harris cf 4 0 0 0 1 3 2 .276 Y Escobar ss 5 2 2 0 0 1 2 .331 C Jones 3b 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 .339 C Woodward 3b 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 .201 M Teixeira 1b 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 .322 S Thorman pr-1b 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 .219 J Francoeur rf 3 1 1 3 1 1 4 .292 M Diaz pr-rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .339 B Jones lf 5 0 1 3 0 1 4 .083 M Prado 2b 5 0 1 0 0 1 3 .288 C Miller c 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 .259 J Reyes p 4 0 0 0 0 3 1 .158 J Devine p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 T Yates p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 O Dotel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 38 7 10 7 6 12 20 BATTING: 2B - Y Escobar 2 (24, M Albers 2); C Jones (42, M Albers); C Miller (2, M Albers); M Teixeira (9, S Randolph); B Jones (1, S Randolph); C Woodward (6, B Moehler). HR - J Francoeur (19, 5th inning off M Albers 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - J Francoeur 3 (105), B Jones 3 (4), M Teixeira (56). 2-out RBI - M Teixeira, B Jones 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Diaz 1, M Prado 2, Y Escobar 1, B Jones 2. Team LOB - 10. FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Jones-M Prado-M Teixeira). HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Anderson cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .373 C Biggio 2b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .250 L Berkman 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .278 E Bruntlett 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248 C Lee lf 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 .304 L Scott lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .255 H Pence rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .324 M Loretta ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .286 B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235 M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 T Wigginton 3b-1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .287 J Towles c 3 0 0 0 1 1 2 .359 M Albers p 2 0 0 0 0 1 4 .069 S Randolph p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 D Sarfate p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 C Burke ss 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .232 Totals 33 2 7 2 3 5 12 a-popped out to shortstop for B Moehler in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - C Lee (43, J Reyes); T Wigginton (12, J Reyes). RBI - T Wigginton (18), M Loretta (41). 2-out RBI - T Wigginton. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Berkman 2, M Albers 2. GIDP - L Berkman. Team LOB - 7. BASERUNNING: SB - C Lee (10, 2nd base off J Reyes/C Miller). FIELDING: E - M Albers (1, catch). ---------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA - 002 023 000 -- 7 HOUSTON - 010 100 000 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- ATLANTA ip h r er bb so hr era J Reyes (W, 2-2) 6 2/3 7 2 2 2 3 0 6.22 J Devine 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.12 T Yates 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.18 O Dotel 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.70 HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era M Albers (L, 4-11) 5 6 4 3 4 8 1 5.86 S Randolph 2/3 3 3 3 2 1 0 12.15 D Sarfate 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 B Moehler 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.14 M McLemore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.97 IBB - M Teixeira (by M Albers), J Towles (by J Reyes), J Francoeur (by S Randolph). Pitches-strikes: J Reyes 106-71; J Devine 7-2; T Yates 9-6; O Dotel 9-7; M Albers 103-62; S Randolph 29-12; D Sarfate 5-3; B Moehler 17-14; M McLemore 9-7. Ground balls-fly balls: J Reyes 11-6; J Devine 0-1; T Yates 1-1; O Dotel 0-2; M Albers 4-3; S Randolph 1-0; D Sarfate 0-0; B Moehler 1-3; M McLemore 2-1. Batters faced: J Reyes 28; J Devine 2; T Yates 3; O Dotel 3; M Albers 26; S Randolph 7; D Sarfate 1; B Moehler 7; M McLemore 3. UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl Cousins. T--3:00. Att--43,011. Weather: 85 degrees, clear. Wind: 10 mph, in from center.</div>
Francoeur, Reyes help Braves beat up on Astros <h3>ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2</h3>By Andrew Ferraro PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer HOUSTON (Ticker) - Don't tell the Atlanta Braves these gamesdon't mean anything. While the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are the onlytwo National League East teams playing for a shot in thepostseason, the Atlanta Braves picked on the hapless HoustonAstros Friday night, posting a 7-2 victory at Minute Maid Park. Jeff Francoeur hit his 19th homer of the season and drove inthree runs as the Braves, who were officially eliminatedThursday, snapped a two-game losing streak. Atlanta won for the ninth time in 12 games behind Francoeur'sbat and rookie starter Jo-Jo Reyes' left arm. Reyes pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just two earnedruns and six hits, while striking out three and walking two in 62/3 innings. Reyes (2-2) won for the second time in three starts after goingwinless in his first eight. Carlos Lee was the only Astro togive him any trouble, as he had two hits and scored both Houstonruns. Yunel Escobar hit two doubles and scored two runs and MarkTeixeira added an RBI double in a three-run sixth that brokeopen the game. In the fifth, Francoeur snapped a 2-2 tie with an opposite fieldhomer to right and the Braves chased reliever Stephen Randolphwith three more runs in the sixth. After Teixeira doubled to score Escobar, Randolph walkedFrancoeur before Brandon Jones doubled in two runs with a linedrive down the left field line. Matt Albers (4-11), filling in for the injured Roy Oswalt, hasbeen a major disappointment for the Astros down the stretch. Infive September starts, Albers is 0-5 and has not won sincebeating the St. Louis Cardinals on August 30. Albers allowed four runs and six hits in five innings with acareer-high eight strikeouts, but also walked four.
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATLANTA (7) AT HOUSTON (2) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee doubled to left. H Pence flied out to center, C Lee to third. M Loretta grounded out to pitcher. T Wigginton doubled to deep left center, C Lee scored. J Towles intentionally walked. M Albers grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, HOUSTON 1. ATLANTA 3RD: Y Escobar hit a ground rule double to deep center. C Jones walked. M Teixeira walked, Y Escobar to third, C Jones to second. J Francoeur grounded into fielder's choice to third, Y Escobar scored, M Teixeira out at second, C Jones to third. B Jones grounded into fielder's choice to first, C Jones scored, J Francoeur out at second. M Prado grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, B Jones out at second. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 2, HOUSTON 1. HOUSTON 4TH: C Lee singled to center. C Lee stole second. H Pence singled to left, C Lee to third. M Loretta singled to right, C Lee scored, H Pence to second. T Wigginton flied out to center, H Pence to third. J Towles flied out to right. M Albers struck out swinging. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 2, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 5TH: C Jones safe at first on error by pitcher M Albers. M Teixeira flied out to center. J Francoeur homered to right center, C Jones scored. B Jones flied out to left. M Prado singled to left. C Miller struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) ATLANTA 4, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 6TH: S Randolph relieved M Albers. J Reyes struck out looking. W Harris walked. Y Escobar grounded into fielder's choice to third, W Harris out at second. C Woodward singled to left center, Y Escobar to second. M Teixeira doubled to deep left, Y Escobar scored, C Woodward to third. J Francoeur intentionally walked. S Thorman ran for M Teixeira. B Jones doubled to left, C Woodward and S Thorman scored, J Francoeur to third. D Sarfate relieved S Randolph. M Diaz ran for J Francoeur. M Prado struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2.</div>
NL: ATLANTA at HOUSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATLANTA (7) AT HOUSTON (2) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Atlanta Starting Lineups -- W Harris CF, Y Escobar SS, C Jones 3B, M Teixeira 1B, J Francoeur RF, B Jones LF, M Prado 2B, C Miller C, J Reyes LHP. Houston Starting Lineups -- J Anderson CF, C Biggio 2B, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF, H Pence RF, M Loretta SS, T Wigginton 3B, J Towles C, M Albers RHP. Umpires -- Ted Barrett (HP), Mark Carlson (1B), Angel Hernandez (2B), Derryl Cousins (3B). Gametime Weather: 85 degrees, Clear, wind in from center at 10 mph. ATLANTA 1ST: W Harris struck out looking. Y Escobar doubled to left. C Jones doubled to deep left center, Y Escobar to third. M Teixeira intentionally walked. J Francoeur struck out swinging. B Jones struck out looking. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, HOUSTON 0. HOUSTON 1ST: J Anderson bunt grounded out to pitcher. C Biggio singled to left. L Berkman grounded into double play, third to second to first, C Biggio out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, HOUSTON 0. ATLANTA 2ND: M Prado flied out to right. C Miller walked. J Reyes struck out swinging. W Harris struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, HOUSTON 0. HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee doubled to left. H Pence flied out to center, C Lee to third. M Loretta grounded out to pitcher. T Wigginton doubled to deep left center, C Lee scored. J Towles intentionally walked. M Albers grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 0, HOUSTON 1. ATLANTA 3RD: Y Escobar hit a ground rule double to deep center. C Jones walked. M Teixeira walked, Y Escobar to third, C Jones to second. J Francoeur grounded into fielder's choice to third, Y Escobar scored, M Teixeira out at second, C Jones to third. B Jones grounded into fielder's choice to first, C Jones scored, J Francoeur out at second. M Prado grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, B Jones out at second. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 2, HOUSTON 1. HOUSTON 3RD: J Anderson grounded out to second. C Biggio struck out swinging. L Berkman grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 2, HOUSTON 1. ATLANTA 4TH: C Miller hit a ground rule double to left. J Reyes grounded out to shortstop, C Miller to third. W Harris struck out swinging. Y Escobar struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 2, HOUSTON 1. HOUSTON 4TH: C Lee singled to center. C Lee stole second. H Pence singled to left, C Lee to third. M Loretta singled to right, C Lee scored, H Pence to second. T Wigginton flied out to center, H Pence to third. J Towles flied out to right. M Albers struck out swinging. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 2, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 5TH: C Jones safe at first on error by pitcher M Albers. M Teixeira flied out to center. J Francoeur homered to right center, C Jones scored. B Jones flied out to left. M Prado singled to left. C Miller struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) ATLANTA 4, HOUSTON 2. HOUSTON 5TH: C Woodward at third base. J Anderson grounded out to second. C Biggio grounded out to shortstop. L Berkman grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 4, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 6TH: S Randolph relieved M Albers. J Reyes struck out looking. W Harris walked. Y Escobar grounded into fielder's choice to third, W Harris out at second. C Woodward singled to left center, Y Escobar to second. M Teixeira doubled to deep left, Y Escobar scored, C Woodward to third. J Francoeur intentionally walked. S Thorman ran for M Teixeira. B Jones doubled to left, C Woodward and S Thorman scored, J Francoeur to third. D Sarfate relieved S Randolph. M Diaz ran for J Francoeur. M Prado struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. HOUSTON 6TH: S Thorman at first base. M Diaz in right field. C Lee popped out to shortstop. H Pence flied out to center. M Loretta flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 7TH: B Moehler relieved D Sarfate. C Burke at shortstop. C Miller flied out to center. J Reyes struck out swinging. W Harris flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. HOUSTON 7TH: T Wigginton struck out swinging. J Towles grounded out to second. C Burke walked. J Anderson singled to right, C Burke to third. J Devine relieved J Reyes. C Biggio walked, J Anderson to second. L Berkman flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 8TH: E Bruntlett at third base. L Scott in left field. T Wigginton at first base. Y Escobar flied out to right. C Woodward doubled to right. S Thorman struck out swinging. M Diaz grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. HOUSTON 8TH: T Yates relieved J Devine. L Scott struck out swinging. H Pence grounded out to shortstop. O Palmeiro hit for B Moehler. O Palmeiro popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. ATLANTA 9TH: M McLemore relieved B Moehler. B Jones grounded out to third. M Prado popped out to third. C Miller grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2. HOUSTON 9TH: O Dotel relieved T Yates. T Wigginton flied out to center. J Towles struck out swinging. C Burke fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2.</div>
Francoeur, Reyes help Braves beat up on Astros <h3>ATLANTA 7, HOUSTON 2</h3>By Andrew Ferraro PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Don't tell the Atlanta Braves these gamesdon't mean anything. While the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are the onlytwo National League East Division teams playing for a shot inthe postseason, the Atlanta Braves picked on the hapless HoustonAstros on Friday night, posting a 7-2 victory at Minute MaidPark. Jeff Francoeur hit his 19th homer of the season and drove inthree runs as the Braves, who officially were eliminatedThursday, snapped a two-game losing streak. Atlanta won for the ninth time in 12 games behind Francoeur'sbat and rookie starter Jo-Jo Reyes' left arm. Reyes pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just two runsand six hits while striking out three and walking two in 6 2/3frames. "That's what I try to do out there every game - have fun," Reyessaid. "It can be a business, too, at the same time. I justwanted to go out and have fun. It was my last start. Ofcourse, I wanted to go out with a bang. You've just got to gopitch by pitch." Reyes (2-2) won for the second time in three starts after goingwinless in his first eight. Carlos Lee was the only Astro togive him any trouble, as he had two hits and scored both Houstonruns. "We keep saying he's close, he's really close," Braves managerBobby Cox said. "He's every bit of that. He had his breakingball going really good. He threw his change and had a reallygood sinker tonight. He had some balls down the line, butnothing really screamed." Yunel Escobar hit two doubles and scored two runs and MarkTeixeira added an RBI two-base hit in a three-run sixth thatbroke open the game. In the fifth, Francoeur snapped a 2-2 tie with an opposite-fieldhomer to right and the Braves chased reliever Stephen Randolphwith three more runs in the sixth. After Teixeira doubled to score Escobar, Randolph walkedFrancoeur. Brandon Jones doubled in two runs with a line drivedown the left field line, his first major league hit. "I tell you what, it feels good to get it out of the way," Jonessaid. "I can stop thinking about it, stop pressing and just goout there and start playing again." Filling in for the injured Roy Oswalt, Matt Albers (4-11) hasbeen a major disappointment for the Astros down the stretch. Infive September starts, Albers is 0-5 and has not won sinceAugust 30 against the St. Louis Cardinals. "In the first and third innings, I think, I was able to bailmyself out with a few good strikeouts," Albers said. "But thepitch count just kept going up and I kept getting myself intotrouble. I left the ball over the plate a few times, and thatdid not turn out so good." Albers allowed four runs and six hits in five innings with acareer-high eight strikeouts but also walked four. "It was a bummer, and this is definitely not the way I picturedit (would) go," said Astros manager Cecil Cooper, who received atwo-year contract on Friday after serving as the interimmanager since August 27.
