Braves topple Giants in ninth-inning rally
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ATLANTA (Reuters) - Atlanta rookie Freddie Freeman delivered a game-winning two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Braves rallied to a comeback 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday.
"It's huge," Freeman told reporters. "Especially when you're in a playoff race and you're playing a team right behind you in the Wild Card (race).
"To win the first game of the series is always great."
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The Giants, who also slipped 2.5 games off the lead in the NL West, had been well set up by starter Madison Bumgarner, who conceded only two runs in a solid seven-inning performance.
Mike Fontenot added a blast in the eighth against Atlanta starter Tim Hudson who pitched eight innings in a no-decision.
Martin Prado singled in a run in the ninth to close the gap for Atlanta, before Wilson walked a batter to load the bases.
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Freeman then came through with the winning hit with the Braves down to their final out, casting a cloud over the Giants' hopes in the Wild Card race.
Reliever Cristhian Martinez pitched the ninth for the Braves as they recovered from two straight defeats.
"That's a helluva comeback there," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "These guys, we battled the whole game."
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Jose Constanza went 3-for-3 with an RBI for Atlanta, while Dan Uggla got a hit one game after ending his league-high 33-game hitting streak.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Ian Ransom)