Associated Press
The National League roundup…
ATLANTA ó Mike Minor knew he couldnít afford any big mistakes going against two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
Instead, it was Lincecum who cracked.
Minor pitched six crisp innings and Chipper Jones homered off Lincecum for the only run, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.
ěHeís obviously the better pitcher,î Minor said. ěItís a big win.î
The left-hander pitched brilliantly, allowing just four hits and one intentional walk while striking out a season-high nine. Only two runners got as far as second base against Minor (3-2), who didnít flinch when Cody Ross led off the game with a double.
Nationals 3, Reds 1
WASHINGTON ó Jonny Gomes had a two-run single, Jesus Flores hit his first home run in more than two years and Jordan Zimmermann pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning as the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 on Thursday night.
Zimmermann and four relievers combined to limit the Reds to an unearned run.
Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
MILWAUKEE ó Clayton Kershaw throttled the streaking Brewers with eight scoreless innings and Rod Barajas homered, leading the Dodgers to the victory.
The NL Central-leading Brewers came in winners of 19 of 21 and were looking to complete a 7-0 homestand.
But Kershaw (15-5) was tremendous, retiring 13 of his final 14 batters and never facing serious trouble after the third inning.
Barajas hit a solo homer in the second. Los Angeles built a 5-0 lead by scoring twice in the seventh and two more in the eighth, the first runs allowed by Milwaukeeís bullpen in the last 10 games.
Brewers starter Marco Estrada (3-8) allowed one run and three hits in five innings.