When the streaking Braves finally produced their first late-innings win of the season, the decisive hit came from the only player with a higher batting average than Chipper Jones.

Newly acquired bench player Greg Norton hit a bases-loaded, pinch-hit single in the seventh inning Wednesday night, breaking a tie and propelling the Braves to a 5-2 win against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field.

"We had a lot of big hits tonight, but certainly Norton's was the biggest," said manager Bobby Cox, who was ejected in the second inning and watched on TV as his Braves matched their season-high five-game winning streak.

"[Norton] has already paid dividends."

Tim Hudson (5-2) pitched seven strong innings, and the Braves (17-15) improved to 5-0 on a six-game homestand that ends today. They moved to two games over .500 for the first time while improving their majors-best home record to 13-4.

"We've got a little streak going," said Hudson, charged with two runs and six hits and called for a second-inning balk that led to Cox's 137th ejection, extending his own major league career record.

Norton joked that he didn't know how to get to the clubhouse, much less know the Braves' history this season, including the fact they were 0-13 before Wednesday in games in which they were tied or trailed after six innings.

They were tied 2-2 after six Wednesday, then went to work against Padres starter Randy Wolf (2-2) in the seventh. Brian McCann led off with a double, Matt Diaz singled and Mark Kotsay walked to load the bases.

Cox called on Norton, a 35-year-old switch-hitter who came from Seattle in a Monday trade. It wasn't exactly a marquee trade, but his hit demonstrated what general manager Frank Wren meant when he called Norton a "professional hitter."

Norton, who grounded out Tuesday in his Braves debut, was behind 0-2 in the count against left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher. After taking a ball, he hit a single up the middle to score McCann for a 3-2 lead.

"It was big," said Norton, who is 8-for-18 (.444) with five RBIs for the Mariners and Braves, after starting the season in Class AAA.

"I know that's my role, but to be able to help the team coming off the bench, to actually do what I've been talking about doing, was big."

Kelly Johnson followed with a sacrifice fly, and Yunel Escobar added an RBI single, pushing the lead to 5-2.

Jones was 2-for-4 with a double to raise his majors-leading average to .429, including .470 in home games. For once, he wasn't involved in the scoring.

"[Norton] did a good job of situational hitting," Jones said of his well-traveled new teammate. "Down two strikes, he stayed inside that pitch and got the game-winning hit."

Hudson improved to 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA in four home starts and lowered his overall ERA to 2.90. But he was apologetic after the game for what he conceded was pushing the line too far with umpires in the second inning.

After he allowed a double and single to start the inning, Hudson was called for a balk that brought in a run to cut the lead 2-1. He was incensed at the call by third-base umpire Wally Bell, who ruled Hudson moved toward home plate before stepping toward third.

Hudson held his arms out and questioned Bell's call, then pointed to the indentation on the mound, urging Bell to come look at evidence Hudson believed would acquit him. It was an animated display and probably would have led to Hudson's ejection if it had gone any further.

Cox jogged from the dugout and took over the argument, and was ejected while standing on the mound and jawing with Bell near third base.

NEXT FOR BRAVES

> Who: vs Padres

> When: 1 p.m. today

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