Recap: Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta

Sports Network | July 8, 2009

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Brian McCann went 2-for-4 and drove in both of Atlanta's runs, while Javier Vazquez tossed seven solid frames to lift the Braves past the Chicago Cubs, 2-1, in the middle installment of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

Vazquez (6-7) gave up one run on five hits with six strikeouts to collect the win for the Braves, who snapped a three-game skid. Vazquez improved to 2-2 in his last four starts. Rafael Soriano tossed a scoreless ninth to pick up his ninth save of the season.

Brooks Conrad, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, was the only other Atlanta player with more than one hit. Third baseman Chipper Jones (right groin) didn't play on Tuesday.

Carlos Zambrano (4-4) started in place of Ryan Dempster, who was put on the 15-day disabled list prior to the contest with a right toe fracture. Zambrano went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks to take the loss for the Cubs, who won 4-2 in the series opener on Monday.

Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano each went 2-for-4 at the plate for Chicago, which has won five of its last seven contests despite the loss.

The Braves drew first blood with a run in the first inning. Nate McLouth walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and went to third on a groundout. McCann then drove in McLouth with a single.

Koyie Hill's RBI single in the second deadlocked the contest at one. Micah Hoffpauir and Ramirez both singled to put men on first and second. After Vazquez recorded two outs, Hill drove in Hoffpauir with a hit up the middle.

Atlanta responded with a run in the third to regain a one-run advantage. Martin Prado hit a one-out single and scored two batters later when McCann laced a double to left.

Meanwhile, Vazquez kept the Chicago offense quiet. After giving up the one run in the second, Vazquez allowed just two hits before exiting the contest after seven frames.

The Braves put a man on second with one out in the seventh, but Angel Guzman retired the next two batters to get out of the inning.

Mike Gonzalez started the home half of the eighth and gave up a two-out double to Ryan Theriot. Gonzalez, though, got Derrek Lee to pop out to keep Atlanta ahead.

Rafael Soriano worked around a two-out single in the ninth to secure the victory for the Braves.

To replace Dempster on the roster, Chicago recalled pitcher Kevin Hart from Triple-A Iowa. Hart will start on Wednesday for the Cubs. Dempster, 32, has a 5-5 record with a 4.09 earned run average this season for Chicago after signing a four-year contract this past offseason. He had a career year for the Cubs in 2008, going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA...Atlanta leads the season series with Chicago, 3-2. The Cubs are 11-5 over the past 16 meetings between the clubs.