Braves' error, Haren's control prove potent mix for D-backs

Haren outpitched Derek Lowe, and the Arizona Diamondbacks took advantage of second baseman Kelly Johnson's error to score four times in the fourth inning on their way to a 5-2 victory over Atlanta on Thursday.

"He can control a game," Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said of Haren. "It's a sight to see when he competes. He executes pitches, he's got a game plan. He doesn't back down. He thinks along with the hitters."

Haren (4-4) retired 15 in a row before a two-out double by Johnson and an RBI single by Casey Kotchman in the eighth inning. The last batter Haren faced was Chipper Jones, who had doubled in a run earlier in the game. Jones struck out looking.

"That was one of the best balls I threw all night," Haren said. "He's a tough guy to strike out. He's given me some trouble over the years. I knew I had to make a perfect pitch and I knew it was probably my last batter, too, so I dug in deep and made the pitch."

He allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings, striking out eight.

"We hit the ball really good early in the game," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said, "and later on Haren got really tough. … You can say 'Well, we didn't hit the ball tonight,' but he was hard to hit at. A lot of teams wouldn't have hit him tonight at all."

Haren has not walked a batter in his last three outings. He's walked nine all season, with 71 strikeouts.

The error by Johnson on what looked to be a double play ball cleared the way for Arizona's big fourth. The miscue left runners at first and second with no outs, and Mark Reynolds doubled to right-center on the next pitch to bring home both runs.

Chad Qualls pitched a perfect ninth, with some defensive help from second baseman Augie Ojeda and shortstop Stephen Drew, for his 12th save in 14 opportunities.

Justin Upton singled three times for the Diamondbacks to raise his average to .346.

TODAY

• What: Braves at D-Backs

• When: 6:40 p.m.

• TV: FSAZ

• Radio: 1490-AM