HOUSTON – Freddie Freeman and Alex Gonzalez homered on back-to-back pitches during Atlanta’s four-run third inning, and the Braves pounded the Houston Astros 11-4 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
Freeman’s two-out, two-run shot off fellow rookie Aneury Rodriguez landed several rows up in the second deck in right field and gave Atlanta a 4-0 lead. Gonzalez sent the next pitch into the Crawford Boxes in left field.
Chipper Jones and Eric Hinske also homered for Atlanta, which tied its season high for runs. Freeman and Gonzalez combined for six RBIs.
Braves starter Tim Hudson (5-5) pitched six effective innings, yielding two runs and seven hits.
Matt Downs hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Houston, which has lost six of seven games. Michael Bourn had a triple and two doubles while tying a career high with four hits.