NL East Wrap: Braves avoid sweep

The Phillies were off on Thursday, but will open a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants on Friday evening.

When the Phils brought back Cliff Lee in 2010, they had the blueprint for how to re-sign Cole Hamels. Now, Jim Salisbury thinks it's time for them to make the offer (see story).

Now here's a look at what went on around the NL East.

Braves avoid sweep
Freddie Freeman and David Ross each hit home runs and the Braves topped the Giants 3-2 on Thursday to avoid a sweep (see full recap).

Tim Hudson gave up eight hit and two runs in 7 1/3 innings to improve to 8-4 on the season for Atlanta.

The NL West-leading Giants' five-game winning streak ended with their first loss since the All-Star break.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his NL-leading 28th save of the year.

Wright on
David Wright hit two home runs to lead the Mets to a 9-5 victory over the Nationals on Thursday (see full recap).

R.A. Dickey won his league-leading 13th game as New York broke a six-game losing streak. Dickey went 7 1/3 giving up four runs and 10 hits.

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hit his 11th homer of the season in the first inning.

Wright and the Mets rocked Nats starter Gio Gonzalez for six runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Fish hooked
Paul Maholm pitched eight solid innings on Thursday to help the Cubs beat the Marlins 4-2 (see full recap).

Maholm allowed just one run and four hits to win his fourth consecutive start.

Greg Dobbs delivered an RBI single in the ninth before Carlos Marmol finished off the Fish for his 11th save of the season.

Chicago has now won 14 of its last 19 contests and improved to 10-4 in July.