LOS ANGELES -- Kris Medlen grew up in Southern California and made frequent trips to Dodger Stadium. Saturday night, in his second career start at Chavez Ravine, the Atlanta Braves right-hander had the best of both worlds on the mound and at the plate. Medlen pitched 6 2-3 scoreless innings and hit his first major league home run, Dan Uggla also went deep, and the Braves continued their recent stretch of dominant starting pitching in a 2-1 victory. "Every time I come here in a cab or on the team bus, it brings back memories of my dad or my uncle taking me to games," Medlen said. "It couldnt have been a better day. And most importantly, we got the win, which was awesome. For me to hit my first home run here, Im on Cloud 9." Medlen (3-6) scattered five hits, struck out six and allowed only one baserunner as far as third. That was in the sixth inning, when the right-hander retired Andre Ethier on a flyball to shallow centre field and fanned Scott Van Slyke after Nick Punto led off with a double and advanced on a groundout by Adrian Gonzalez. Medlen has won back-to-back starts for the first time this season, and has a 2.87 ERA over his first 13 starts. Last year he was 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA in 12 regular-season starts after being inserted into the rotation on July 31. Atlantas rotation has yielded just three runs in 31 1-3 innings spanning the teams last five games. "Our starting pitchings been the backbone of this team," Uggla said. "Theyve been so consistent and kept us in ballgames, and they battle. Theyve just done an amazing job, going deep into games and taking a little stress off of our bullpen." Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez, hobbled by a troublesome left hamstring, pinch hit for the third straight night and greeted Jordan Walden with an RBI single in the eighth. The unearned run was charged to Luis Avilan, after a throwing error by shortstop Andrelton Simmons on an attempted double-play relay to first base. Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 21 attempts. Stephen Fife (1-1) allowed two runs and nine hits with seven strikeouts in his third start of the season and second since getting recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to replace the injured Chris Capuano in the Dodgers rotation. "I started trying to do too much in terms of effort level, and things went side to side instead of up and down," Fife said. "A hanging breaking ball to Dan Uggla, I can probably live with that one. But that mis-located fastball to a pitcher is probably one Id like to have back." Uggla led off the fifth with his 11th homer on an 0-2 pitch, and Medlen hit a 1-0 delivery just over the right field fence two batters later. "Theres no way he could have hit that homer without seeing me do it first. Im taking all the credit," Uggla deadpanned. "He stole my thunder. But that was cool. Every pitcher wants to hit a homer. Its something that hell remember for the rest of his life, and it was fun to watch it." Yasiel Puig continued to shine for the Dodgers in his first week in the major leagues. He got two more hits along with his second outfield assist, charging Jason Heywards single to right field in the fifth and firing a seed to third baseman Luis Cruz on the fly to nab Simmons as he tried to advance two bases. "It reminds you of an Ichiro (Suzuki) or Jeff Francoeur type of arm," Fife said. "You just watch it happen and go: Wow, thats pretty good. Were definitely watching something special with him." In six games so far, the Cuban-born phenom is 10 for 23 in the leadoff spot with 10 RBIs and four home runs -- including an opposite-field grand slam. Simmons drove Fifes second pitch of the game to left-centre for a double, Heyward walked and Justin Upton advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt -- only the third of his seven-year career and first in 1,559 plate appearances since his previous one on Sept. 14, 2010. But Fife escaped the jam, throwing called third strikes past Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann. "In that situation, we had first and second with no outs and I thought I could load the bases right there with a bunt because they were playing back," Upton said. "I squared around late enough to get a base hit if I got the bunt down in the right area. And if it doesnt work out, we still have second and third with Freddie and McCann swinging a hot bat." NOTES: Upton has gone 49 official at-bats without an RBI since his run-scoring double against Dillon Gee on May 25 at New York. He has only one in 72 at-bats since his five-RBI game against the Dodgers on May 17 in Atlanta. ... The Dodgers have had 10 rookies of the year who were position players, and none of them came close to the start that Puig has gotten off to with the four homers coming in his first 19 at bats. Mike Piazza needed 96 at-bats to get his second home run, Raul Mondesi 65, Frank Howard 49 and Jackie Robinson 120. ... The Dodgers are expected to place LHP Ted Lilly on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday because of neck soreness. RHP Matt Magill will be recalled from Triple-A to start the series finale instead against LHP Mike Minor. ... The Dodgers brought Old-Timers Day back to Chavez Ravine for the first time since 1995, marking 50 years since the Dodgers four-game World Series sweep of the Yankees. A "Whos Who" of Dodgers and Yankees from World Series past were on hand -- including Sandy Koufax, Goose Gossage, Dwight Gooden and Chris Chambliss. Keenan Allen Youth Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Jerry Tillery Womens Jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. http://www.chargersauthenticofficialonline.com/authentic-antonio-gates-jersey.html . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Philip Rivers Chargers Jersey .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. Philip Rivers Womens Jersey . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes what hes seen over the last few months, even though he knows it wont matter much if the Steelers cant build on it when they report for training camp next month. The team wrapped up minicamp on Thursday, meeting with coaches before Tomlin let his players go early rather than take the field. "I just told the guys its been a great off-season," Tomlin said. "But, and I think that but is significant because legitimately, youd like to find ways to measure offseasons and feel good about it, but the reality is these types of processes are measured based on results." The results didnt meet Pittsburghs lofty standards a year ago, when the Steelers slipped to 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The roster underwent a significant makeover, with veterans like James Harrison, Max Starks, Mike Wallace and Casey Hampton leaving, replaced by younger players who need to make an impact if Pittsburgh wants to bounce back. So far, Tomlin is pleased. "As I sit here today I feel good about the foundation weve laid for 2013," he said. "I like the efforts of the guys, the messages have been received. Were just in a good place, but that doesnt assure us anything. We understand what we do moving forward is whats really significant." Veteran inside linebacker Larry Foote, entering his 13th season, is among the teams elder statesmen is prepared to become a leader in the locker room. "There are only a couple guys in here who are older than me, so its a big challenge," Foote said.dddddddddddd "Not pressure, but I want to lead this team into the playoffs. Ive been led, and Ive been following other guys, so hopefully I can lead this team deep into the playoffs all the way to the Super Bowl." Its a role Foote is growing into, trying to do for others what his mentors did for him when he broke into the league. "Even last year, I wanted to duplicate the things that James Farrior did for years for this team, as far as being a leader on defence and never blinking at adversity and always trying to be your best," Foote said. "Were always yelling at the young guys, telling them that they might think theyve arrived, but they arent veterans yet. They have to stay in their place and keep learning." Tomlin noted that the Steelers will "play it by ear," as far as working the injured players back into the mix, but he expected all of them to be ready for training camp. That might not include linebacker Sean Spence (left knee) or tight end Heath Miller (right knee), although being ready for the season is more likely. "No, nothing miraculous," Miller said. "I feel pretty good right now. Its kind of lonely in here when youre here by yourself, so it was nice to have the other guys around. Its encouraging to watch everybody else work, and you just try to be inspired by how hard theyre working and try to get back to where theyre at." ' ' '