Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Brooks Conrad, an injury replacement, clubbed a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, as the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat Houston, 4-2, in the second portion of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
Chipper Jones Goes Down But Replacement Hits Game-Winning Home Run, Braves Rally Past Astros, 4-2
Conrad took over at third base in the bottom of the sixth after Chipper Jones sprained his left knee while making a spectacular defensive play. He walked to begin the seventh and scored the game's first run on a single by Troy Glaus, who added a solo blast in the ninth off Houston's Matt Lindstrom (2-3).
The loss snapped a six-game home winning streak.
Michael Bourn tripled off Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens to begin the inning. One out later, Jeff Keppinger hit a grounder to Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez, whose throwing error to catcher Brian McCann allowed Bourn to score the tying run and Keppinger to go to second.
Jurrjens left the game after an intentional walk to Hunter Pence. Peter Moylan took over from the bullpen, and Carlos Lee hit a potential double-play grounder. Gonzalez fielded the ball and flipped to second baseman Omar Infante, who missed the toss. Keppinger raced home to give Houston what proved to be a short-lived 2-1 advantage.
After Pence was caught stealing third, Chris Johnson singled to place runners on the corners. Jonny Venters (4-0) struck out pinch-hitter Jason Michaels to end the inning.
Gonzalez singled off Lindstrom to open the ninth and Conrad followed by crushing the first pitch he saw to right field for a two-run homer. Lindstrom retired the next two batters before Glaus smacked his 15th home run of the season.
Billy Wagner pitched a 1-2-3 frame to earn his 28th save.
Both Jurrjens and Houston's J.A. Happ were locked in a pitchers' duel.
Jurrjens scattered six hits, while Happ allowed one run on just two hits and walked four in 6 1/3 innings.
Braves Rookie right fielder Jason Heyward missed the game with a sore right knee. Melky Cabrera got the start in his place and went 0-for-4...Jurrjens has yet to win on the road in 2010, going 0-4 in seven starts...Infante had a 12- game hitting streak snapped. It tied a career-high from September 13-27, 2002...Lindstrom has six blown saves this season.
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