Infante runs hit streak to 11 games

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Omar Infante is making the most of his everyday second base assignment. The Braves All-Star utility player has an 11-game hitting streak, including the past 10 since taking over for Martin Prado.

With Prado on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right pinky finger, Infante has assumed his leadoff spot in the batting order as well. He is hitting .388 (19-for-49) during the hit streak. He also has four runs scored, two doubles and two RBIs.

In the win over the Giants, Infante went 1-for-4, including his third home run of the season. He hit a Jonathan Sanchez pitch 389 feet over the left field wall.

“Infante, we think he’s going to have a good day every day,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

Infante’s 11-game hit streak includes seven multi-hit games. He is one game shy of tying his career-high hit streak, set in 2002.

The Braves now have four hitting streaks of 10 or more games this season. Prado had a 12- and 10-game streak and Chipper Jones had an 11-game streak.

Medlen to be re-evaluated Saturday or Sunday

Braves pitcher Kris Medlen will stay home from the Braves’ trip to Houston and continue to rest his right elbow, as he awaits word on whether he’ll need to undergo “Tommy John” elbow reconstruction surgery.

Medlen said he expects to be examined by Braves doctors when the team returns, either on Saturday or Sunday and anticipates a decision some time soon thereafter on whether he’ll need surgery.

“It’s going to depend on the exam they’ll give me on Saturday or Sunday, and then if it goes good, I’ll probably toss to see,” Medlen said. “As of right now, I don’t think it’s going to be better, but it’s only been four days.”

Medlen said the Braves have consulted both James Andrews and Lewis Yocum, nationally-known surgeons who specialize in “Tommy John” surgery, and both said to give it a couple of weeks to see how it responds.

Medlen was diagnosed with a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament, an injury he suffered in Wednesday night’s game against the Mets.

Cramps force Lowe from game

Braves starter Derek Lowe had to come out of Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Giants due to cramps. With a game-time temperature of 90 degrees, Lowe pitched 5-1/3 innings before he had to be relieved.

‘First time in the two years I’ve been here that I had to leave with cramps, which is disappointing,” Lowe said. “… I’m not the first guy, nor the last guy, to play in this heat to get a cramp.”

Lowe said his arm started to cramp in the fourth inning and with one out in the sixth he exited with a cramp in his right hamstring.

Lowe, who earned his 11th victory, threw 66 pitches, 44 for strikes. The right-hander allowed just five hits and two earned runs.

“It was disappointing because usually I have 66 pitches in the third [inning], not the sixth,” Lowe said. “This was a game I could have went a lot deeper.”

Catcher David Ross said he knew Lowe was on top of his game in the bullpen.

“The ball was really sinking late and it was down,” Ross said. “His curveball was sharp. He went out there and gave his all. With this heat, it just gets to you some time. We don’t want something like a cramp to turn into an injury.”

Lowe said he does not expect to miss his next start, Saturday at home against the Dodgers.

Lowe left with a 5-2 lead as the Braves improved to 40-2 this season when scoring five or more runs.

Pennant race aiding Braves attendance

The Braves are reaping the benefits of a pennant race at the turnstiles.

The National League East leaders have drawn 154,037 more fans through 54 home games this season than last.

Through Sunday, the Braves' total home attendance was 1,671,849, an average of 30,960 per game. Through the same number of games at Turner Field last season, which came July 31, they drew 1,517,812, an average of 28,108 per game.

Last season’s totals included back-to-back interleague series against the Yankees and Red Sox in June. The attendance was over 40,000 for each of the six games.

“Love weekends around here,” third baseman Chipper Jones said. “But even the midweek series, we’ve had more fans than normal. It’s amazing what happens when you start playing a better brand of baseball and start winning some games.”

The Braves drew more than 40,000 for Friday and Saturday games against the Giants. Tom Glavine had his number retired on Friday night, with 42,178 in attendance. Saturday’s game, which included a post-game concert, drew 47,305. A crowd of 33,865 watched Sunday’s series finale.

- Compiled by Carroll Rogers and Chris Vivlamore