Rookie pitcher Tommy Hanson overcame control issues to shut down the visiting New York Yankees, giving the Atlanta Braves a 4-0 victory on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old right-hander walked five batters in five-and-a-third innings but pitched his way out of trouble and improved to 3-0 with the victory in just his fourth career major league start.
“I was pretty pumped up. I felt like I made some good pitches, and I felt like I made some not-so-good pitches,” Hanson told reporters. “I definitely battled the whole game. It just feels good to come out of here with a win.”
PHOTO: AP
Hanson was relieved in the sixth by Peter Moylan, who forced New York’s Derek Jeter to ground into a double play to end the Yankees’ (38-32) final scoring threat.
Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano breezed through the final two innings for the Braves for the team’s second successive shutout.
“Our team is capable of throwing shutouts,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “We’ve had good pitching performances all year long.”
Catcher Brian McCann led the Braves with three hits including a solo home run in the eighth inning, his seventh of the year.
Atlanta (34-36) scored three runs against starter Wang Chien-ming (0-6), who pitched five innings and allowed six hits.
The Yankees have lost five of their last six games to fall five behind the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox.
New York slugger Alex Rodriguez continued his struggles at the plate by going hitless in four at-bats. He is batting just .143 this month.
Catcher Jorge Posada struck out four times.
In other interleague action it was:
• Dodgers 5, White Sox 2
• Phillies 10, Rays 1
• Angels 4, Rockies 3
• Tigers 5, Cubs 4
• Blue Jays 7, Reds 5
• Twins 7, Brewers 3
• Giants 4, Athletics 1
• Marlins 7, Orioles 6, 12 inns
• Diamondbacks 8, Rangers 2
• Padres 9, Mariners 7
• Red Sox 11, Nationals 3
• Royals 2, Astros 1
• Indians 5, Pirates 4
In NL action it was:
• Cardinals 3, Mets 0
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