Olson Breaks Tie, Keeps Braves Two Games Behind the Dodgers

Catcher Greg Olson is so valuable, the Atlanta Braves play him every game. In a long season, his hitting has suffered.

But when he was needed in the clutch Friday night at Houston, Olson came through in the eighth inning in the Braves’ 4-2 victory over the Astros.

The victory kept Atlanta two games behind the Dodgers in the NL West.

Houston rookie Ryan Bowen had a two-hitter and a 2-0 lead after seven innings but left after Lonnie Smith doubled to open the eighth. Four consecutive singles tied the score.

Olson, who had only five hits in his previous 26 at-bats, singled in the tiebreaking run against Mark Portugal, and Jeff Blauser added another run-scoring single.

The rally came too late for Tom Glavine to get his 20th victory. With one out in the first inning, Steve Finley singled, Craig Biggio tripled and Jeff Bagwell singled to make the score 2-0.

In his last five starts, only two of which he has won, Glavine has given up a total of 11 runs in the first inning.

“To get down by two runs isn’t that big of a hole for us,” Glavine said. “All I wanted to do was go out and hold it there.”