Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Rick Ankiel hit a bases-loaded triple off Carlos Marmol with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Braves to a 5-3 win over the Cubs in the opener of a three-game series.
Marmol (2-3) walked the bases loaded with one away before striking out Melky Cabrera. But on a 2-2 count, Marmol threw a slider down in the zone but over the plate, and Ankiel ripped it to the right field corner for a triple.
Billy Wagner held the Cubs off the scoreboard in the bottom half to secure the win for the NL East-leading Braves, who have won eight of 10.
Omar Infante went 2-for-4 with a home run for Atlanta, while Derrek Lee played in his first game for the Braves since they acquired him from the Cubs on Wednesday. Lee, who received an ovation from his former home crowd, went 0- for-4.
Marmol spoiled a good start from Ryan Dempster, who limited the Braves to two runs on four hits and two walks in eight innings, while striking out seven.
Aramis Ramirez hit a home run and run-scoring double for the Cubs, who have dropped eight in a row at Wrigley Field.