Smashing debut: Teixeira's HR highlights Atlanta rout

Aug 2, 2007, 3:20 GMT

Atlanta, GA - Newly-acquired coveted first baseman Mark Teixeira belted a three-run home run in the sixth inning, as the Atlanta Braves pounded the Houston Astros, 12-3, in the second of a three-game series at Turner Field.

The last Brave to homer in his Atlanta debut was Jeff Francoeur, who did it in his major league debut on July 7, 2005.

Atlanta bolstered its lineup Tuesday by acquiring Teixeira from the Texas Rangers as part of a seven-player deal. Teixeira and lefty reliever Ron Mahay joined the Braves in exchange for heralded rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, minor league infielder Elvis Andrus and minor league pitchers Matt Harrison, Beau Jones and Neftali Feliz.

Edgar Renteria also homered for the Braves, who have won three in a row after a four-game skid. Yunel Escobar finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and scored a run in the rout.

Atlanta starter Buddy Carlyle (6-3), who had won his previous four decisions before losing to San Francisco on Thursday, left after the fifth with a hyperextended right elbow. He allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

Busy before Tuesday's deadline to make trades without waivers, the Braves also picked up right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel from the Kansas City Royals for righty Kyle Davies. Mahay and Dotel both made their Braves debuts with a scoreless inning in relief.

Lance Berkman homered for Houston, which has dropped four of its last five games. Jason Lane ended 2-for-4 and scored a run in the loss. Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez (7-10), who has split his past six outings, allowed eight runs on six hits with five walks and four strikeouts over four frames.

Holding an 8-3 margin, Atlanta padded its lead with three runs in the sixth when Renteria and Chipper Jones both walked before Teixeira's three-run homer to left field on a 2-1 pitch off Matt Albers.

The Braves added another run in the seventh when pinch-hitter Willie Harris drew a lead-off walk, advanced to third on Escobar's single, and scored on a Kelly Johnson base hit.

Atlanta exploded for seven runs in the first. Escobar led off with a double before Renteria, Chipper Jones and Teixeira each walked for the first run. Andruw Jones singled home a run, Francoeur walked in another, and Matt Diaz doubled home two runs before Escobar laced a two-run single in his second at- bat of the frame, which then ended as Renteria struck out swinging.

Houston plated a run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Chris Burke.

The Astros scored another run in the fourth on Berkman's homer to center field on the inning's first pitch, but Atlanta got it right back in the bottom half on Renteria's solo shot to center on a 1-0 pitch.

Carlyle had injured himself while swinging at a pitch in the fifth before getting called out on strikes to end the inning. He attempted several warmup pitches between innings before the exit.

With the Braves holding an 8-2 lead after five, Oscar Villarreal took over on the mound to start the sixth, but scattered singles to Berkman and Mike Lamb before Ty Wigginton's sac fly got Berkman home.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, Atlanta designated first baseman Julio Franco for assignment and optioned righthander Jose Ascanio to Double-A Mississippi...Atlanta and Houston are meeting for the first time since the Astros went 4-3 in the 2006 season series.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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