Virgil, Thomas Lead Braves to 8-3 Victory Over Giants

Ozzie Virgil and Andres Thomas drove in two runs apiece Wednesday to lead the Atlanta Braves to an 8-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

“I’ll take those (singles),” said Virgil, who has 20 home runs this year. “You have to contribute as much as you can. Sometimes you have to put away your driver and get out your nine iron.”

Rick Mahler, 5-8, scattered nine hits in recording his third complete game of the season. The right-hander walked two and struck out four in handing the Giants their 10th loss in their last 13 home games.

“I stayed away from the walk,” Mahler said. “I just tried to throw strikes and threw mostly my fastball. I tried to make some pitches on the plate instead of just off the plate. I think that’s the key--don’t try to be too fancy. Throw strikes and force them to swing.”

Mike LaCoss, 6-5, who has not won since June 2, took the loss.

San Francisco Manager Roger Craig, who held a meeting with his team following the game, said the loss was discouraging, but not disheartening.

“I am not frustrated,” Craig said. “I just talked to the whole club. This club’s battling and I know they are going to turn around.”

Dale Murphy singled to lead off Atlanta’s five-run fourth. One out later, Graig Nettles doubled into the left field corner to score Murphy with the game’s first run. Virgil then ripped a 3-0 pitch up the middle, driving in Nettles.

Glenn Hubbard reached on an error by shortstop Matt Williams, and Mahler sacrificed. Dion James was walked intentionally to load the bases and Thomas singled home Virgil and Hubbard to give the Braves a 4-0 lead. Gerald Perry singled home James to increase the lead to 5-0.

Jeffrey Leonard broke up Mahler’s shutout bid in the sixth with his 15th home run of the year, a one-out shot to center field. Will Clark singled and Chris Brown doubled in Clark to cut the Atlanta lead to 5-2.

Perry led off the Braves seventh with a fly ball that Leonard, attempting to make a basket catch, juggled and dropped for a two-base error. Perry took third on Keith Comstock’s wild pitch and scored on Ken Griffey’s fielder’s choice. Nettles singled Griffey to third and Virgil’s single scored Griffey to make the score 7-2. Hubbard singled home Nettles to give the Braves an 8-2 lead.

Brown led off the Giants ninth with his fifth homer of the year.

Atlanta shortstop Rafael Ramirez strained ligaments in his left knee in the first inning and had to leave the game. He’ll be examined further when the Braves arrive in Atlanta Thursday. His status is day-to-day.