ATLANTA -- Kris Medlen is putting together another second-half run that is helping the Atlanta Braves move closer to the NL East title. cheap jerseys . Medlen allowed four hits over 7 1-3 scoreless innings to win his fourth straight start, leading the Braves to a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. The first-place Braves increased their lead over second-place Washington to 11 games. Any combination of four Braves wins or Nationals losses will give Atlanta its first division title since 2005. Medlen (14-12) has enjoyed a strong resurgence after a slow start. He went 1-6 over the first two months of the season but is 8-2 in his last 10 games. In 2012, Medlen moved into the rotation on July 31 and then was 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA in 12 starts. "Whether Im a second-half guy or whatever it is, I just feel like Ive clicked," Medlen said. The Braves led 2-0 before Chase Headley hit a ninth-inning homer off closer Craig Kimbrel, who then pitched around a two-out walk to Ronny Cedeno for his career-best 47th save -- the most in the majors. Freddie Freeman had three hits, including a sixth-inning homer off Robbie Erlin (2-3), to help the Braves earn their first win of the season over the Padres. San Diego won the first four games of the season series. Medlens surge has been especially important after staff leader Tim Hudson broke his right ankle on July 25 and was lost for the season. Medlen, Mike Minor and Julio Teheran have taken over atop the rotation. Is Medlen, the staff leader in wins, the Braves emerging ace? "I think there are a lot of guys you could say that about," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think his last four starts have been really, really good. Maybe more than that." Medlen looked like an ace to Padres manager Bud Black. "Hes their guy," Black said. "Hes won 14 games. Obviously, theyre on their way to the playoffs. I suspect that hell be their first-game pitcher." Medlen, who had five strikeouts and two walks, was removed after allowing a bloop single to Will Venable with one out in the eighth. David Carpenter recorded the final two outs of the inning. Kimbrel overcame Headleys leadoff homer in the ninth. After striking out Kyle Blanks and Tommy Medica, Kimbrel walked Cedeno. After pinch-runner Reymond Fuentes stole second base, Nick Hundley grounded out to end the game. "We were one base hit from tying that game," Black said. "We were right there with them." Erlin allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk in six innings. The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Justin Upton led off with a single and scored on a two-out single to left field by Chris Johnson, who had two hits. The Braves were denied a chance to extend their lead in the fifth when Elliot Johnson hit a two-out single and stole second. Upton singled to right field and Johnson, trying to score from second, was thrown out on right fielder Chris Denorfias one-hop throw to the plate. The Braves left the bases loaded in the seventh. Right-hander Dale Thayer, the Padres third pitcher of the inning, struck out Evan Gattis to end the threat after Brad Boxberger and Tommy Layne combined to walk three batters. San Diegos problems with walks continued in the eighth. With two outs, Andrelton Simmons doubled off Brad Brach, who then walked B.J. Upton and pinch-hitter Joey Terdoslavich. Brach struck out Elliot Johnson to end the inning. There was a brief delay in the fifth inning when Medlen fouled a ball that hit home plate umpire Tom Hallion under his mask. The ball skimmed off catcher Nick Hundleys helmet before hitting Hallion, who remained in the game after being checked by Braves assistant trainer Jim Lovell. Venable made a diving catch of Elliot Johnsons sinking liner in left-centre in the first inning. NOTES: Gonzalez said Braves OF Jason Heyward, who took batting practice for the second straight day, could be sent to the Braves Instructional League in Florida next week. Heywards right jaw was fractured when hit by a pitch from the Mets Jonathon Niese on Aug. 21. ... B.J. Upton drew three walks. ... Braves RHP Brandon Beachy (inflammation right elbow) will begin light throwing on Monday or Tuesday. ... Teheran will try for his 13th win against Padres RHP Burch Smith on Sunday. cheap jerseys usa .Bayern also had a Dutchman to thank, with Arjen Robbens 27th-minute strike enough for the defending champions to go provisionally 10 points clear after 13 games.Huntelaars brilliant chip in the ninth was followed by an easier finish in the 25th when he was left free. wholesale nfl jerseys . But it isnt. That has been done, many times, including by myself in January. For similar reasons I had a year ago, I believe Ronaldo should win it this year, but a year is a long time in sport and, although my opinion on who should win it hasnt changed, my opinion on the award certainly has. MONTREAL -- A regularly scheduled visit by a sports psychologist came at an opportune moment for the struggling Montreal Canadiens. The club is coming off a 5-3 defeat in New Jersey in which it blew 2-0 and 3-1 leads and now has a pair of afternoon home games against the Washington Capitals on Saturday and the Winnipeg jets on Sunday. Psychologist David Scott, who talks to players from time to time during the season, spoke to the players ahead of an optional skate on Friday. "Its good timing," coach Randy Cunneyworth said. "Mentally, physically, these are the challenges we have. "Its difficult, that mental part of not having the level of success you want. Its about starting fresh, getting ready, recovering. No one says its easy but if we stick together, we will battle it by committee." He said the visit was scheduled well in advance and had nothing to do with the clubs current plight. Montreal is 0-2-0 since the all-star break and is tied for last place in the NHL Eastern Conference. "Everybody has some level of frustration," said Cunneyworth. "But you have to get in the right frame of mind and try to iimprove. cheap nfl jerseys. " The Canadiens called up winger Aaron Palushaj, who leads AHL Hamilton in scoring, to fill in for Mike Blunden, who was injured when hit from behind into the boards by New Jerseys Patrick Elias on Thursday night. Elias was fined US$2,500 by the league. Palushaj played 15 games in Montreal during earlier call-ups without registering a point. Cunneyworth had no details of Blundens injury, other than that it did not appear overly serious "He took a bit hit," he said. "That was a dangerous hit from that far from the boards. "Fortunately, there was no real severe damage." Forward Ryan White, who has yet to play this season, is close to a return but will not play on Saturday. The team also put winger Travis Moen on injured reserve, although Cunneyworth said he may be able to return from an upper body injury next week. The Washington game marks the return of Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin from a three-game suspension for a boarding incident. Backup Peter Budaj will get the start in goal, while Carey Price is expected to play Sunday against the Jets. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
