Santana tries to make it two in a row for Braves against D'backs

(SportsNetwork.com) - Ervin Santana goes after his sixth win of the season on Saturday when the Atlanta Braves continue their three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Santana won for the first time in four starts last Saturday in Miami, as he held the Marlins to a three runs and seven hits in six innings to run his record to 5-2 to go along with a 4.10 ERA.

"They made (Santana) earn it," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "There weren't any easy innings up and down the lineup. Getting him back to his winning ways was obviously a good thing."

Santana has beaten the D'backs both times he has faced them and has surrendered just two runs in 15 innings of those outings.

Arizona, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Wade Miley, who is 3-6 with a 4.85 ERA. Miley lost his third consecutive decision on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, as he allowed four runs on four sole home runs in six innings. He did strike out nine batters and has fanned 20 over his last two starts.

Miley is 0-2 in three games (2 starts) versus the Braves with an 11.81 ERA.

Jason Heyward homered, had three hits and three RBI on Friday night to lead Atlanta to a 5-2 win.

Heyward also scored three times, including the go-ahead run on Andrelton Simmons' double in the seventh inning, and Jordan Schafer added three hits as Atlanta snapped a two-game slide.

Julio Teheran (6-3) entered the game with the third-lowest ERA in the majors and picked up his fourth straight win, striking out seven in seven innings and giving up two runs on five hits and a walk.

"Pretty good, wasn't he?" said Arizona manager Kirk Gibson. "His ball moves all over, he varies his speed on all of his pitches. He threw the ball well against us tonight."

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out Martin Prado with a runner on second base to end the eighth inning and picked up a four-out save, his 16th of the season.

Arizona was chasing a what would have been a season-high fourth straight win after sweeping Colorado by scoring 32 runs in three games.

Didi Gregorius hit a solo homer in the loss and Brandon McCarthy (1-8) allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings to remain winless in his last six starts.

McCarthy had nine strikeouts and drove in a run for his first career RBI.

This is the first series between these teams since Atlanta won four of six matchups a season ago. The Braves are 13-4 in the last 16 matchups with Arizona.