Braves even series with D-backs

PHOENIX -- Javy Lopez is back, the Arizona bullpen is dreadful, and the Atlanta Braves are alive and well in the National League championship series.

Lopez, starting for the first time since he was hurt in a home-plate collision last month, broke a tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning Wednesday night as the Atlanta Braves beat the Diamondbacks 8-1 in Game 2.

The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1 and shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Friday night.

After Tom Glavine shut down Arizona for seven innings, the Braves turned the game into a rout with five runs off three Diamondbacks relievers in the eighth.

Brian Jordan doubled in two runs off Mike Morgan, B.J. Surhoff hit a two-run homer off Greg Swindell and Rey Sanchez singled in a run off Bobby Witt.

Before that, it was just the sort of low-scoring pitcher's duel that has been the norm for both of the teams.

Glavine allowed one run on five hits to improve to 2-0 in this year's playoffs. He struck out two and walked two before giving way to Steve Karsay.