Dodgers Survive Ely's Uncharacteristic Struggles, Down Braves In 11

Dodgers Survive Ely's Uncharacteristic Struggles, Down Braves In 11

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - A.J. Ellis hit a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning, as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Atlanta Braves, 5-4, to split a four-game series.

James Loney went 2-for-5 with two runs batted in and a run scored for the Dodgers, who got a solo homer from Rafael Furcal.

Ronald Belisario (1-0) tossed a scoreless 10th and 11th inning to pick up the victory. Starter John Ely gave up four runs on nine hits in five innings for Los Angeles, which has won six of eight.

Martin Prado went 3-for-6 with a solo homer for the Braves, who have lost two of three since a season-best nine-game winning streak. Brian McCann belted a two-run home run in defeat.

Jesse Chavez (0-1) gave up the winning run in the 11th to take the loss. Tim Hudson allowed four runs -- three earned -- on nine hits in seven-plus frames.

Pinch-hitter Russell Martin walked to begin the home half of the 11th. Martin moved to second on Blake DeWitt's sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on Ellis' base hit to left.

"This is definitely the most special," said Ellis when asked where this ranks among all the hits in his career. "The team kept giving me chances to drive somebody in and finally on my third try, I was able to get it done."

The Braves broke a scoreless tie with a run in the third. Omar Infante hit a one-out double and came around to score on Jason Heyward's base hit to right.

Los Angeles, though, tied the game in the fourth. A Troy Glaus error and singles from Loney and Matt Kemp loaded the bases with one out. DeWitt then hit an RBI single to center before Ellis grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Atlanta used a three-run top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Prado led off with a homer to left. Heyward worked a one-out walk and crossed the plate on McCann's blast to right.

The Dodgers responded with three runs of their own in the home half to tie the contest again. Furcal belted a one-out, solo homer to right. Jamey Carroll reached first on Infante's fielding error and Andre Ethier doubled. Loney cleared the bases with a base hit up the middle.

Los Angeles stranded a runner at third in the eighth, but Atlanta did the same in the ninth.

The Braves also left men on second and third in the 10th.

"They're all tough to lose. We had the lead but couldn't keep it," said Braves manager Bobby Cox about the defeat. "We had a hundred opportunities to win the game, a lot more than they did, but we couldn't get the big hit."

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (right finger) missed the game...The Dodgers were without third baseman Casey Blake (back spasms)...Atlanta has amassed a gaudy 20-6 record since May 10...Prado extended his hitting streak to 11 games...The Braves went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11...Los Angeles welcomes the Cardinals to town for the first of three games on Monday...Atlanta heads to Arizona for a four-game set beginning Monday.