Braves 1, Giants 0
Mike Minor outdueled Tim Lincecum and Chipper Jones provided the difference with a solo blast as the Atlanta Braves posted a 1-0 home triumph over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
The victory adds another game to the Braves’ wild card lead in the National League, pushing them six games north of the Giants.
San Francisco’s NL West deficit remained at 2.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, who dropped a 4-1 decision to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
Leading off the fifth inning against Lincecum, Jones worked the count to 2-2 before taking a belt-high fastball and lining it over the wall in right for his 11th homer of the season.
Minor (3-2) surrendered only four hits and walked one while striking out nine in six innings. It marked the first scoreless start of the season for the 23-year-old lefthander.
Lincecum (11-10) was almost as sharp, striking out seven and yielding five hits in seven frames.
The Atlanta bullpen trio of Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel each worked a scoreless inning, with Kimbrel taking care of the ninth for his 37th save of the season. Kimbrel has not allowed a run since June 11 - a span of 29 appearances.