McCann's early grand slam sends Braves to 11-6 win

Atlanta is a majors-best 32-12 at Turner Field, even with losing five of its past 10 home games before Sunday.

"We're, like, 20 games over .500 at home and hadn't been in this situation in a long time," said Braves starter Derek Lowe (10-8). "It was a big win. I think guys sensed that coming to the park today -- we wanted to even up the series.

"Mac's grand slam got us off and running."

The East-leading Braves (54-38) are off Monday before opening a home series against West-leading San Diego (54-37) in a matchup of teams with the National League's best records.

"It's a great series coming up," said new Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who turned three double plays with second baseman Martin Prado. "We've got to keep it up, play hard, keep winning. It's a great feeling here. Great group of guys. It feels like family."

The Braves led the East by five games over New York and Philadelphia, with the Phillies playing a late Sunday night game.

Before busting out Sunday, Braves hitters had mustered just eight runs during a 1-3 stretch.

Lowe snapped a three-start losing streak and Omar Infante matched a career-high with four hits and two RBIs filling in for Chipper Jones, a late scratch with a strained hamstring.

McCann's sixth slam and first this season fueled a five-run inning that stretched the lead to 7-1 against Manny Parra (3-7). The left-hander was rocked for 10 hits and 10 runs in 5-1/3 innings.

"Everybody hit today," McCann said. "It was a great team effort. Everybody worked the count, took what the pitcher gave us, and we were able to put up some runs."

He hadn't homered since July 4, but McCann's batted .308 with six doubles and five homers his past 23 games.

"The All-Star thing was great and today was great again," he said. "About a week and a half before the All-Star break I was starting to feel really good. I made a couple of adjustments, and they've been working out for me."

Both bases-loaded hits in the past week were against lefties. McCann's average against lefties fell from .299 in 2008 to .225 in ‘09, when he had vision issues that only recently improved.

"My whole life I've been able to hit lefties," he said. "I've been through some things these last two years where I wasn't able to stay back. Now that I can do that, I'll be able to work the ball a little more and take what the pitcher gives me a little more."

Of their past 20 series, the Braves have won 15, split four and lost one -- a sweep by the White Sox in Chicago. They needed a win Sunday to avoid their first home series loss since April 22.

"It was good to get those two runs in the second and then McCann kind of opened it up," Diaz said. "No, not kinda -- McCann did open it up with that grand slam in the third. That's what we needed."

Diaz has also provided a needed boost in left-field production since returning from a stint on the disabled list following surgery for a thumb infection.

Despite playing only two minor-league rehab games, he's hit .424 with six doubles, three homers and eight RBIs in nine starts since returning from the DL.

"It's nice to come back and be a part of it," Diaz said. "As soon as I went on my rehab stint, my hand felt fine. Then it was just a matter of getting some timing down."

Lowe was charged with three runs and eight hits in 5-1/3 innings, including leadoff homers by Rickie Weeks in the first and sixth innings. Weeks' career-high 17 homers is a Brewers franchise record for second basemen.