Major League Baseball

Braves 5, Phillies 2

Published May. 9, 2011 5:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

Decked in plenty of pink, Freddie Freeman had a career night.

Freeman homered and had three hits, Jair Jurrjens pitched neatly into the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 on Sunday night.

On a Mother's Day when many players around the majors wore pink wristbands and pink necklaces and used pink bats to show their support for the fight against breast cancer, Freeman was the only starter for either team wearing pink spikes. The 21-year-old first baseman was 10 when his mother died of melanoma.

''I think about her every day, but a little more today,'' Freeman said. ''I hope she's proud. I wore all the pink I could, necklace, wristband and spikes.''

Alex Gonzalez and pinch-hitter Eric Hinske each had a two-run shot for Atlanta, which took two of three in the series.

Jurrjens (4-0) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings to outduel Cole Hamels. Jurrjens hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any start, and has a 1.50 ERA.

''This is the team we want to beat,'' he said. ''It's always exciting to go against the best and one of their aces.''

Hamels (4-2) gave up three runs and five hits, striking out nine in seven innings. Coming off a complete-game win over Washington, Hamels could've gone the distance if he had a lead. He threw 92 pitches before being removed for a pinch hitter.

Jonny Venters pitched out of trouble after allowing a run in the eighth and Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth for his eighth save in 10 tries. Kimbrel allowed a single and a walk with one out before striking out Shane Victorino looking and retiring Placido Polanco on a shallow fly to center.

''We hit some balls good, but we couldn't do anything with guys on base,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

The Braves have won nine of 12. They head home for eight games, including a three-game series against Philadelphia next weekend.

''That's what you want to do, win series,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The NL East-leading Phillies lost just their third series of the season and remained tied with Cleveland for the best record in the majors. They'll hit the road for eight games, starting at second-place Florida on Monday.

Freeman led off the fifth with a solo shot to right to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. Hamels had allowed just two homers all season before the Braves connected twice.

''I threw a pitch where I wanted to and he just hit it out,'' Hamels said. ''He's a great hitter. He's here for a reason.''

Freeman started a two-out rally in the second with a single. Gonzalez then drove a 2-1 pitch into the seats in left for a 2-0 lead. He later left the game with a slight groin strain and is day-to-day.

Hinske, pinch-hitting for reliever Eric O'Flaherty, connected off Michael Stutes to make it 5-1 in the eighth. Hinske struck out against Brad Lidge for the final out of the 2008 World Series, clinching Philadelphia's win over Tampa Bay.

The Phillies cut it to 2-1 in the third. Jimmy Rollins singled and scored on Polanco's two-out single to center.

Victorino tripled and scored on Polanco's infield single in the eighth to get Philadelphia within 5-2. Venters later retired pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. on a fly to center with two runners on to end the inning.

Jurrjens pitched out of a first-and-third, one-out jam in the sixth by getting Wilson Valdez to ground into a double play.

NOTES: Phillies C Carlos Ruiz was placed on the disabled list with lower back inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 28. ... Victorino extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... The Braves optioned RHP Julio Teheran to Triple-A Gwinnett after he took the loss in his major league debut Saturday night. INF Diory Hernandez was called up to take his roster spot. ... A crowd of 45,619 was the 156th straight sellout at Citizens Bank Park, including postseason play. ... Polanco has reached safely in 25 straight and 32 of Philadelphia's 33 games. ... Hamels has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts vs. Atlanta. ... Fredi Gonzalez also wore pink shoes.