Associated Press
CHICAGO ó Once again, Javier Vazquez got little offensive backing from his Atlanta teammates. This time it was OK. All he needed was two runs to beat the Chicago Cubs.
Vazquez allowed a run and five hits in seven strong innings and Brian McCann had a pair of two-out RBIs on Tuesday night as the Braves beat the Cubs 2-1.
“We played great defense today,” said Vazquez, who has received just 11 runs of support over his last eight starts. “That’s the first thing I want to say. Great defense out there by everybody, and those two runs were enough,”
Backed by fine infield play from shortstop Yunel Escobar and second baseman Brooks Conrad, Vazquez beat Carlos Zambrano.In his last nine starts, Vazquez (6-7) has two wins ó both against the Cubs. He walked none and struck out six. At one point, he retired 13 of 14 batters.
“He just pitched like he’s been pitching all year,” McCann said. “We were making a joke about it, one (run) should be enough for him. That’s basically what he’s been getting this year.”
McCann hit a two-out RBI single in the first and delivered again in the third with a slicing two-out double. He is now 7-for-12 lifetime against Zambrano.
Mike Gonzalez worked the eighth, surviving a double by Ryan Theriot, and Rafael Soriano got his ninth save in 10 chances.
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones sat out with a groin strain.