Klesko's Error Seals L.A. Win

An anticipated showdown between two of the NL's top pitchers turned into a draw for them, giving Pedro Borbon a chance to win his first game since 1996.

Eric Karros doubled and scored the winning run in the 11th inning on an error by Ryan Klesko as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Atlanta Braves 5-4 for the second day in a row.

Kevin Brown, a Georgia native, was on the verge of winning a matchup against Greg Maddux until the Braves got four hits in a row in a three-run eighth that tied it 4-4.

Borbon (1-1) retired all six batters he faced in beating his former team.

Borbon was 3-0 with a 2.75 ERA in 43 relief appearances for the Braves in 1996. But he missed the entire 1997 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, and pitched only three games in the Braves minor league system last year.

"It's ironic it came against my old teammates," he said. "I'm pleased with everything overall, especially my arm. I don't have to ice after the game and I don't have to rehab for two hours before the game. The main thing is to stay healthy."

Karros doubled with one out off Mike Remlinger (2-1) and Adrian Beltre was walked intentionally.

Mark Grudzielanek hit a slow grounder to third baseman Chipper Jones, who barehanded the ball and made a strong throw. Klesko had to reach for the ball, and it bounced off his glove, allowing Grudzielanek to score.

"It hit the top of my glove," Klesko said. "It was a little high. I could have come off the base and got it, but then the runner would have been safe and we'd have the bases loaded with one out."

Jeff Shaw, with one inning of work, picked up his 12th save in 13 opportunities.

Brown still has never lost at Turner Field, posting a 2-0 regular-season mark and a 3-0 record in the last two NL championship series against Atlanta.

The Braves got four consecutive hits after one out in the eight to chase Brown.

Keith Lockhart started it with a single and Jones followed with a double. Brian Jordan then doubled in two runs and scored on Klesko's double.

Brown gave up eight hits, walked three and fanned three in 7 1-3 innings. Maddux allowed four runs and seven hits.

"I just ran out of gas," Brown said. "Some days it's not the number of pitches you make. Today I was working hard."

Maddux had given the Braves a 1-0 lead in the third inning with his second home run of the season. He also homered against Philadelphia on April 6.

He lost his lead by giving up a pair of homers to the Dodgers to Adrian Beltre in the fourth and Devon White in the fifth.

Raul Mondesi started the three-run fourth with a single, then stole second before Todd Hundley walked. After Eric Karros was called out on strikes, Beltre hit a 1-0 pitch into the left-field seats. It ended Maddux's scoreless innings streak at 14.

"I made one very bad pitch at a very bad time and it cost us three runs," Maddux said of his hanging slider to Beltre. "It cost us the game."

Other than that, Maddux said, "I thought I threw pretty good."

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