Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Matt Diaz homered in his third straight game and Jair Jurrjens tossed seven strong innings, as the Atlanta Braves defeated San Diego, 4-1, in the opener of a three-game series at Turner Field between the top two clubs in the National League. Authentic Kenny Phillips Jersey. Diaz added an RBI single, while Jurrjens (3-3) gave up a run on five hits, walked three and struck out seven. The two-run homer by Diaz was among one of the five hits yielded by San Diegos Wade LeBlanc (4-8), who pitched six full frames. The left-hander hasnt won since June 12, going 0-4 in his last six starts. Chris Denorfia homered for the Padres (54-38), who are a half-game behind Atlanta (55-38) for the circuits best record. San Diego threatened in the first, but Atlanta center fielder Melky Cabrera gunned down a sliding David Eckstein at the plate on Nick Hundleys single to end the inning. The Padres second baseman apparently suffered a right calf strain on the play and left the game. Everth Cabrera pinch-hit for Eckstein in the second inning and played shortstop. Jerry Hairston Jr. shifted from shortstop to second. Denorfia homered earlier in the second to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. It was his third home run in the last two games and fifth in seven. Jurrjens struck out Hairston to get out of a first-and-third jam in the fourth. Atlanta moved ahead in the bottom of the inning when Troy Glaus led off with a walk and came home on Diazs blast to left field. "I feel like I have a real good approach (at the plate) right now," Diaz said. The Braves picked up two runs in the seventh against reliever Ryan Webb. Consecutive doubles by Martin Prado and Jason Heyward made it a 3-1 game. Atlanta loaded the bases on a pair of walks, and Diaz ripped a two-out single to right, scoring Heyward. Jonny Venters, who is appealing a four-game suspension for hitting Milwaukees Prince Fielder on Saturday with a pitch after warnings had already been issued to both benches, pitched the eighth for Atlanta. Billy Wagner closed the door in the ninth to earn his 22nd save of the season. "He worked us pretty good. He got ahead most of the time," Denorfia said of Jurrjens. "He didnt give in. He made his pitches." Game Notes: Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones was held out of the starting lineup for the third straight game with a mild left hamstring strain. He popped out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth...Braves manager Bobby Cox missed Tuesdays contest while serving a one-game suspension for Venters actions. Bench coach Chino Cadahia served as the acting manager...Heyward went 3-for-4 with two doubles...San Diego had a four-game winning streak snapped...The Braves are 33-12 at home this year. BenJarvus Green-Ellis Jersey. The Senators have won the first two meetings of the year against their provincial rivals, taking a game at home and on the road. Ottawa has won three of four overall in the series, but the Maple Leafs have won five of the last seven meetings on home ice.