Homers carry Braves to win over Tigers

As of Sunday, March 3, 2013
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton (2) hits a 2-run home run during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports complex, Champion Stadium (Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports).

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves, behind the first spring training home runs from B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla, defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-1 Sunday at Champion Stadium.

Though it was Upton's first Grapefruit League homer, the center fielder is still having a great spring. He's 7-for-19 (.368 batting average) with three doubles already, and added another boost with a two-run blast against the Tigers.

Uggla, who had struck out in seven of his previous 11 at-bats, hit a solo homer in the sixth inning. He is just 3-for-21 this spring.

Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer was solid in his first two innings before the Braves took control. Juan Francisco had a pair of doubles and Freddie Freeman had a triple that preceded Upton's two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Francisco opened the third with a broken-bat double to shallow right field. This set the stage Ramiro Pena to open the scoring with a one-out RBI double to deep center field.

Braves starter Mike Minor allowed one hit and issued a walk in three scoreless innings. Minor recorded three strikeouts and recorded six fly-ball outs.

The Tigers' only run came courtesy of Aaron Westlake's solo home run off of Juan Jamie in the seventh inning.

Gwinnett Daily Post