Anaheim, CA (Best E Casino) - Mark Teixeira drove in three runs and Brandon Jones notched his first career three-hit game, as the Atlanta Braves walloped the Los Angeles Angels, 9-4, in the middle installment of a three- game interleague set.

Charlie Morton (1-0), who had his contract purchased from Triple-A Richmond before the contest, was solid in his major league debut, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out four and walked one.

"I felt good once it was over," Morton said on his debut. "Tonight, my two- seam changeup was my best pitch. It went pretty well, but the end result it's a win."

Brandon Jones and Kelly Johnson each clubbed a solo home run for the Braves, who have won two straight following a season-high six-game losing streak. Yunel Escobar finished 2-for-3, knocked in two runs, scored twice and drew a pair of walks. Gregor Blanco also had two hits and scored two runs.

Third baseman Chipper Jones was back in the lineup for Atlanta one day after suffering a left eye contusion in batting practice, when a batted ball bounced off the cage and struck him in the face. He was 0-for-3 with two walks and an RBI, dropping his batting average to an MLB-best .409.

Ervin Santana (8-3) went 5 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on nine hits to absorb the loss for LA.

Maicer Izturis knocked in two runs for the Angels, who have dropped four of their last six contests. Torii Hunter doubled twice and drove in a run, while Jeff Mathis also had an RBI.

Down 2-0, Atlanta pulled ahead with four runs in the fifth. Consecutive singles by Greg Norton, Brandon Jones, Blanco and Escobar to open the frame drew the Braves even. After Johnson went down on strikes, Chipper Jones worked a walk to load the bases. Teixeira was then plunked on the left foot and Brian McCann poked an RBI single through the left side for a 4-2 lead. Santana fanned Jeff Francoeur and got Norton to ground out to stifle the rally.

The Braves extended their lead further when Brandon Jones began the top of the sixth with his first major league home run, a shot to right field. Johnson's two-out blast made it a 6-2 game.

LA got a run back in the next frame, as Vladimir Guerrero stroked a two-out single to center and came around to score on an RBI double by Hunter.

Atlanta widened its lead with three more runs in the eighth. Justin Speier started the inning and retired the first two batters with ease, but a single by Blanco followed by three straight walks to Escobar, Johnson and Chipper Jones plated Atlanta's seventh run. Darren O'Day took over the mound duties and gave up a two-run single to Mark Teixeira.

Mathis singled home a run in the ninth to account for the final score.

The Angels grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third. Morton had retired the first seven batters he faced before Gary Matthews Jr. sliced a triple into left field past a diving Brandon Jones. Mike Napoli then hit a grounder right to Chipper Jones and Matthews, who made the poor decision to go on contact, was subsequently tagged out in a rundown. Chone Figgins then walked and Izturis followed with a two-run double into the alley in left-center field. An infield single by Garret Anderson put runners on the corners, but Morton got Guerrero to ground out to end the inning.

Game Notes

To make room for Morton, the club placed reliever Rafael Soriano on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 6, with inflammation in his right elbow... Izturis has hit safely in 13 straight games, tying his career-high set in 2005...Atlanta's Jorge Campillo (2-0) and LA's Joe Saunders (9-3) are scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday...In the only previous series between the Angels and Braves, Anaheim won two of three clashes at Turner Field from June 6-8, 2005.