Braves avoid sweep, beat Giants

Freddie Freeman and David Ross hit home runs as the Atlanta Braves made the most of their three hits to beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Thursday to avoid a sweep.
Tim Hudson (8-4) helped an Atlanta bullpen that was drained by Wednesday night's 9-4 loss in 11 innings. He gave up eight hits and two runs in 7 1-3 innings to outpitch Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner.
The Giants were denied their first sweep at Turner Field. They haven't swept a series of at least three games in Atlanta since 1988 at old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
The NL West-leading Giants' five-game winning streak ended with their first loss since the All-Star break. They began the day a season-best three games ahead of the second-place Dodgers.
The Braves were held to three hits, none after the fourth inning.