ATLANTA -- Looking to bolster their outfield for a play-off run, the Boston Red Sox traded for Atlanta Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay for minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza.
Even before placing right fielder J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list with a strained back, the Red Sox had been exploring options to add depth in their outfield. Kotsay, 32, was hitting .288 with six homers and 37 RBI in 88 games this season with Atlanta after coming over in an off-season trade from the Oakland Athletics.
Sumoza, 20, was signed by Boston as an undrafted free-agent in 2004. In 51 games with Single-A Lowell this season, Sumoza was hitting .301 with 11 homers and 38 RBI.
The move cleared a roster spot for hot-hitting outfielder Josh Anderson to return from Richmond, where he was hitting .314 with 40 stolen bases in 121 games this season. Anderson compiled a Richmond franchise record 27-game hitting streak that was snapped on Friday.
Anderson had a brief stint with the Braves earlier this season, hitting .318 in 22 at-bats when Kotsay had to be placed on the 15-day DL.
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Atlanta Braves | 3
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ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have not been the best team when trailing late in games, but Yunel Escobar singled home the winning run in a 10-9 come from behind victory for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.
Entering Tuesday's contest, Atlanta was just 4-59 when trailing after seven innings, but Florida closer Kevin Gregg (6-7) played a big part in letting the Braves get back into a game the Marlins had in hand for the most part.
Jair Jurrjens suffered through another disappointing start for Atlanta. Coming in with just a 1-4 record in his last four starts, Jurrjens allowed six runs in just three innings of work before departing.
Atlanta had jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but
Cody Ross belted a long two-run homer in the second and the Marlins struck for four in the third to go up 6-3.
Mike Jacobs added a two-run blast of his own in the seventh, his 26th of the season.
The bullpen meltdown for Florida began with a pair of bases-loaded walks in the eighth inning that cut the lead to 8-6. Gregg would come on to strike out
Chipper Jones to end the frame, but his good fortune would end there.
Four straight hits against Gregg would open the Atlanta ninth. After an intentional walk to
Mark Kotsay, the Marlins had a chance for a game-ending double play when G
regor Blanco bounced to second. However, a slight juggle by shorstop
Hanley Ramirez and the speed of Blanco lead to
Jeff Francoeur scoring the tying run. Escobar followed with an opposite field single that scored
Kelly Johnson and gave the Braves a hard fought 10-9 victory.
Jones finished the game 1-for-5 and is now hitting .357 on the season, giving him a one point lead over
Albert Pujols in the National League batting title race.
Will Ohman (4-0) pitched a shaky ninth inning, surrendering a run, but picked up the win in relief.
On Deck:The series continues on Wednesday, with
Mike Hampton taking the mound against
Josh Johnson of the Marlins. Game time is set for 7:10 PM EST.
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ST. LOUIS -- It has been a tough season for young left-hander
Jo-Jo Reyes. The St. Louis Cardinals added to his miseries by tagging him for six runs in five and two thirds innings in their 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
On Deck:The Braves will travel back to Atlanta for a much needed off-day on Monday, before opening a three game set with the Florida Marlins on Tuesday.
© 2008