Lockhart Wins One for Maddux, Braves

ATLANTA — Pinch-hitter Keith Lockhart hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday, rallying Atlanta and Greg Maddux to a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Expos, the Braves’ sixth consecutive victory.

Javy Lopez opened the inning with a single to left and moved to second on a sacrifice by pinch-hitter Mark Lemke. Then Lockhart, batting for Maddux, hit a 1-0 pitch from Ugueth Urbina (2-3) over the right-field fence for his first home run of the season.

Maddux (5-1) gave up eight hits, walked one and struck out six in getting his second complete game of the season and 77th of his career.

Vladimir Guerrero raced home from second base on a two-run sacrifice fly by Doug Strange in the seventh inning to put the Expos ahead, 2-1.

Henry Rodriguez keyed the inning with a one-out single in the seventh to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. He reached third when Guerrero doubled to left field.

Strange then hit a drive to the wall in right-center field that was caught by Michael Tucker. Rodriguez easily scored, and Guerrero never stopped running from second, sliding home barely ahead of the relay throw from second baseman Tony Graffanino.

Jim Bullinger, who came into the game with an 8.32 earned-run average and had given up eight hits and seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last start, gave up only three hits, walked four and struck out four in 7 2/3 innings.

The Braves scored their other run in the fifth when Graffanino singled with one out, took second on a Maddux groundout and scored from there when Kenny Lofton legged out an infield single to second, beating Bullinger to first to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

Maddux, the four-time NL Cy Young Award winner, hasn’t lost since a 4-3 decision at Houston on April 2 in his first start of the season. He has had four no-decisions.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Atlanta Braves

WHERE: Dodger Stadium

WHEN: Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.