Betemit, Ramirez help Braves batter error-prone O's

ATLANTA (AP) -- Horacio Ramirez is learning that one way to avoid big innings is to avoid panic.

Elias Says

Benson Kris Benson, starting with three days of rest, was the losing pitcher in the Braves' victory over the Orioles. Benson is the only American League pitcher to start a game on short rest this season (fewer than four days between starts), and he's now done it twice (no decision vs. the Angels on May 28). NL pitchers have started on short rest 12 times this season; only John Smoltz has made two such starts. • For more Elias Says, Click here.

A relaxed Ramirez pitched out of an eighth-inning jam and led Atlanta to a 10-3 win over Baltimore Sunday as the Braves won a home series for the first time since May 15-18.

Ramirez gave up one run in the eighth, but stranded runners on second and third by retiring Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada.

After Tejada lined out to left to end the inning, Ramirez pumped his fist in a rare display of emotion.

"In the past that would have caused me to press a little more," Ramirez said.

"I'm just a lot more relaxed. I'm not out there thinking if I give up a home run it's the end of the world."

The Braves were only 2-12 at home in their 6-21 June, and they had lost seven straight home games before winning two of three from the Orioles.

"It's huge," Ramirez said. "It's no secret we haven't done well, but we're fighting. We still believe we can do well and get in the thick of things."

Ramirez (4-2) survived a shaky first inning for the win, giving up seven hits and three runs in eight innings. He had four strikeouts and no walks.

"He was down and away and wasn't missing a lot," said Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez. "When he needed to make the one pitch, he made it."

Ramirez gave up three hits in the first inning and only two hits over the next six innings, retiring 10 batters in a row during one stretch.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said Ramirez, who began the year having to fight for a spot in the rotation, now is "one of the top guys."

"He's pretty classy out there," Cox said.

Wilson Betemit had three hits, including a homer, and Chipper Jones put the game away with a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth.

Betemit started for Jones at third base as Jones was held out with a sore right foot. Jones is scheduled for an MRI Monday.

Baltimore starter Kris Benson gave up nine hits and six runs --four earned -- in five innings. The four earned runs allowed matched the high mark allowed by Benson (9-6) since May.

Benson was pitching on three days' rest after lasting five innings in a 12-5 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday.

"I don't think they'll be asking me to throw anymore on three days' rest," Benson said. "I thought I had better stuff than I did. I just got beat."

Benson said his inability to control his fastball "kind of sunk me."

The Braves scored four runs in the eighth against reliever Sendy Rleal. Jones' homer was the first of his career as a pinch-hitter.

Ryan Langerhans added his fifth homer for Atlanta.

The Orioles, who lost to Braves left-hander Chuck James Friday night, fell to 7-21 against left-handers this year.

Ramirez trailed 2-0 before recording an out. He gave up a leadoff single to Brian Roberts, and Melvin Mora followed with his 10th homer.

But Ramirez, who had allowed no more than one run in four of his last six starts, recovered with six straight scoreless innings as the Braves quickly rallied against Benson.

Langerhans hit his first homer since May 28 in the second inning to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Braves added two runs in the third, with the help of an error by Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.

After Betemit drove in Marcus Giles with a single up the middle, Adam LaRoche hit a one-out grounder to first baseman Kevin Millar. Millar stepped on the bag for one out before throwing to second for the attempted double play. Tejada missed the throw for the error, allowing Edgar Renteria to score for a 3-2 Atlanta lead.

Langerhans led off the first with a grounder to Benson, who threw wildly to first for a two-base error. Giles took advantage of the error with a two-out single to drive in Langerhans.

The Braves added two runs in the fifth on Betemit's homer and back-to-back doubles by LaRoche and Jeff Francoeur for a 6-2 lead.

A throwing error by Betemit helped the Orioles score one run in the eighth. Nick Markakis and Luis Matos reached on singles, and Markakis moved to third as pinch-hitter Ed Rogers avoided a double play on a grounder that forced Matos at second.

Betemit then fielded Roberts' grounder and threw high to first for a two-base error as Markakis scored. With runners on second and third, Ramirez remained in the game to retire Mora and Tejada to end the inning.

Game notes
: Ramirez has three of the Braves' last seven wins. ... Baltimore OF Corey Patterson was held out after fouling a ball off his foot Saturday night. "He's a little tender," said manager Sam Perlozzo, who said X-rays will be taken as a precaution. ... The Orioles fell to 14-24 in road games, the second-worst mark in the AL.