ATLANTA -- The Braves found the solution for their September slump - Phillies rookie Tyler Cloyd. Jason Heywards leadoff home run sparked a five-run first inning and the Braves shook off what has been a chilly September at the plate with a 7-1 win over the Phillies on Thursday night. "It is good to get hits," said Heyward, who had a career-high five, including three doubles. "Good to get on base and get the game going early. We are still playing for something." The win pulled the Braves even with the idle Cardinals at 94-65 for the best record in the National League with three games to play. The Braves won the season-series against the Cardinals and would win the NLs No. 1 seed if the teams finish tied. "It is a big spot," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Well try to win tomorrow and keep guys healthy at the same time." Braves catcher Bryan McCann left the game in the second inning with an adductor strain. After the game, Gonzalez said he thinks McCann will be OK and wanted to avoid having something small get worse. After scoring just three runs in a three-game series loss to the Brewers, the Braves entered Thursday averaging 3.3 runs per game in September. They surpassed that in just six batters against the Phillies when Chris Johnson doubled home Evan Gattis to give the Braves a 4-0 lead in the first. Braves rookie David Hale (1-0) picked up his first win in his second career start, going six innings while giving up one run and striking out five. The right-hander allowed six base runners in the first three innings, but settled down after that and cruised to the win. In two starts since getting called up from Triple-A, Hale has given up one run in 11 innings. "It is amazing, especially to (get my first win) at home," said Hale, who grew up in nearby Marietta. "I was a little more relaxed, but still nervous. I just kept the ball down and it turned out all right." Cloyd (2-7) had been struggling, surrendering 17 runs in 13 innings in his previous three September starts, and the right-hander did not see a turnaround against the Braves. He gave up seven runs on eight hits and did not retire any of the first four batters in the second inning before being pulled. "It was just bad. I wasnt executing any pitches and they were hitting the ball hard," Cloyd said. "I wouldnt say nothing was working, but everything was where they could hit it." The decisive first began with Heywards home run on Cloyds first pitch of the night. Elliot Johnson followed with a single, and Freddie Freeman doubled him home. Gattis then hit an RBI single, and scored on Chris Johnsons double. Jordan Schafer brought in the final run of the frame with an RBI single. Gattis ended Cloyds night with a two-run double in the second that scored Heyward and Elliot Johnson. "Cloyd had a hard time with his first-pitch strikes and also had trouble with two strikes," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "They were still able to barrel balls up pretty good and before you know it, it was 7-0." Jimmy Rollins went 3 for 4 for the Phillies, who have lost seven of eight. NOTES: Injured Braves starter Brandon Beachy had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Thursday. Gonzalez said Beachy should be ready to return by the first couple of weeks of spring training. ... Gonzalez is undecided on his fourth starter for the upcoming NLDS. He is choosing between Freddy Garcia and Paul Malhom. Gonzalez thought both pitchers pitched well this week and said it will be a tough decision. ... Injured Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was at Turner Field, re-joining the team from Clearwater, Fla., where he had been rehabbing his left knee. Howard said it was important to him to finish the season with his teammates. "I just wanted to watch and cheer these guys on the rest of the way and hopefully try to end things on a good note and head into 2014 on a high." ... The Braves have matched their 94 wins from 2012, when they earned a wild card spot. Marcos Diplan Jersey . Team officials did not indicate the extent of the injury Saturday, simply listing Rose with "left knee soreness." Rose has played two preseason games without any sign of problems. The first NBA game in South America now will be missing its biggest star. Michael Fulmer Jersey .Ryan Anderson had 14 points for the Pelicans, who trailed 78-63 after three periods before trimming the deficit to 86-83. Jrue Holiday had 13 points and Eric Gordon added 12 for New Orleans.Mike Scott and Jeff Teague each had 11 points for Atlanta. https://www.cheaptigers.com/1779z-niko-g...sey-tigers.html. Formula One Teams Association secretary general Oliver Weingarten says the organization collapsed over unpaid subscription fees and a failure to strike an agreement for 2014 with all 11 teams. Jim Leyland Jersey . According to a police report, Douglas is accused of grabbing his girlfriend by the neck and slamming her against the wall several times while he carried her from the elevator to their Hartford hotel room early Sunday morning. Rudy York Jersey . Three pitches later, he was hugging Mike Napoli at home plate after his teammates winning home run. Napoli and Ortiz hit consecutive homers with one out in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox rallied past Minnesota 2-1 Wednesday, sending the Twins to their fifth straight loss.With Wednesdays news of his release, Zach Collaros has become available to the highest bidder earlier than expected. The Toronto Argonauts released the impressive sophomore quarterback a little more than two weeks before he was scheduled to hit the free agent market on February 15, perhaps sending teams interested in the 25-year-olds services into a mad dash to finalize their pitches. There are a number of teams that could certainly use Collaros talents in one capacity or another, but which team do you think will end up signing him? The favourites, at least in the media, appear to be the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Bombers have yet to do anything this off-season to upgrade their talent at the position after struggling through a 3-15 season in which four different quarterbacks saw game action. Max Hall emerged as the teams frontrunner at QB but its unclear if new head coach Mike OShea is sold on the former NFLer. And that of course, is another connection between the Bombers and Collaros. OShea should know Collaros talents first-hand after serving as the Argonauts special teams coordinator during the two years Collaaros was with the team.dddddddddddd. While the Bombers may be the favourites, theyre likely not going to be the only team to make overtures to Collaros. Contract talks between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Henry Burris have been awfully quiet leading up to the free agency deadline. They may be looking for a younger option for the team to grow with, if they arent sold on Dan LeFevour or one of their other young options behind centre. The Ottawa Redblacks have their quarterback of the present in Kevin Glenn, whom they acquired in last months expansion draft, but could be interested in giving Thomas DeMarco some competition for the role of quarterback of the future. And in Montreal, the Alouettes are faced with the unenviable task of replacing the face of their franchise, Anthony Calvillo. While Troy Smiths play late last season warranted him getting a longer look, the team may want more options for the daunting task of filling Calvillos shoes. A quarterback of Collaros potential could be used by all nine teams in the league. The Rouge asks: Which team will he end up with? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '