Lofton’s Timely Hit Rallies Braves, 5-4

Kenny Lofton continued his torrid hitting, driving in the go-ahead run with a run-scoring single in the seventh inning as Atlanta defeated slumping San Diego, 5-4, on Friday night.

Lofton’s two-out single extended his hitting streak to seven games and boosted his batting average to .429. The hit off Joey Long, who was making his major-league debut, scored Jeff Blauser from second and sent the Padres to their third consecutive loss and fifth in six games.

The Braves raised their record to 9-1 at Turner Field by winning for the ninth time in 12 games.

Blauser was hit by a pitch from reliever Will Cunnane (0-1) and went to second on a grounder by Mike Mordecai before Lofton’s hit.

The Braves overcame a 4-0 deficit, scoring four runs in the fourth inning on consecutive homers by Javier Lopez and Mark Lemke.

After Fred McGriff singled and Andruw Jones doubled, Lopez followed with his fourth home run of the season. Lemke then hit his first homer to tie it, 4-4.

Atlanta outfielder Michael Tucker left the game with a sore left hamstring after hitting into a double play in the third inning. He’s listed as day-to-day. Brave starter Denny Neagle (3-0) gave up four hits and four runs in seven innings.