By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA(AP) -- Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds are enjoying
a September surge that has their confidence on the rise and the
Atlanta Braves feeling frustrated.

Arroyo, who pitched out of a first-inning jam, gave up one run
in seven innings and the Reds beat the Braves 3-1 on Friday
night for their fifth straight win.

The Braves, who began the day four games behind Colorado in the
NL wild-card race, have lost three straight.

The Braves did not score after loading the bases with no outs in
the first. Brian McCann hit into a double-play grounder that
forced Matt Diaz out at the plate. Adam LaRoche ended the inning
with a fly ball to left field.

"It's just frustrating," McCann said. "We had our chance in the
first. I grounded into a double play and kind of killed the
rally. Then it seemed like every ball we hit hard was right at
them."

Manager Bobby Cox was ejected for second straight game, and the
seventh time this season, to extend his major league record to
150.

The Reds, coming off a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh, matched a
season high with their fifth straight win.

"We obviously don't have a chance for the playoffs, but we have
an opportunity to look at what we will have next year," Arroyo
said.

Brandon Phillips says it is not too late for the Reds (61-73) to
avoid a losing season.

"We're just trying to get as many wins as possible," Phillips
said. "If we can get to .500, that would be a positive thing for
us."

Arroyo (12-12) gave up six hits and one run in seven innings. He
shut out the Braves for five innings before giving up Nate
McLouth's homer in the sixth. He has lasted at least seven
innings in seven straight starts. The right-hander was only 1-2
in his last six starts despite a 1.99 ERA.

"After that first inning, he got on track and dealt the rest of
the way," said Reds manager Dusty Baker.

Arroyo's only other win in the seven-game span was a two-hit
shutout of Washington on Aug. 13.

"After pitching well several games in a row and not getting the
win, to finally get over the hump and get a win feels really
good," Arroyo said.

Jonny Gomes' 17th homer in the second gave Cincinnati a 1-0
lead.

Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 31st save.

Arroyo beat Derek Lowe (13-9), who gave up seven hits and three
runs in seven innings.

Kenshin Kawakami pitched a perfect eighth in his first relief
appearance for Atlanta after 25 starts.

"Our pen needs some help right now," Cox said. "We've got some
guys that need a little bit of rest so he's going to have to
carry a little bit of load out there."

Tim Hudson's return from elbow surgery left the Braves with six
starting pitchers, allowing Cox to move Kawakami to the bullpen.

The Reds scored two runs in the sixth. Joey Votto walked and
scored on Brandon Phillips' double to center field. Scott
Rolen's single to center drove in Phillips.

McLouth came off the 15-day disabled list after missing 17 games
with a strained left hamstring.

Plate umpire Brian Gorman ejected Cox in the fourth inning.

Gorman called Yunel Escobar out for running outside the base
path on the infield grass as he tried to beat Arroyo's throw to
first. Arroyo's throw hit Escobar. Cox argued the call.

"Unbelievable," Cox said of the call.

Cox said Escobar had to be in line with Arroyo's throw to first
base if Escobar was to run across the base.

"You can only be where you are," Cox said. "The ball had to hit
him no matter where he was."

Escobar appeared to be injured while stretching for first base.
X-rays were negative.

Cox said Escobar's status is day to day. Escobar nodded when
asked if he expected to miss two or three days.

Omar Infante moved from left field to shortstop to replace
Escobar.

NOTES: Cox also was ejected in Thursday night's 8-3 loss at
Florida. ... McLouth did not start but entered the game in the
fourth inning after Escobar's injury. ... Wladimir Balentien's
first-inning triple was the first of his career in 472 at-bats.
... The Reds opened a 10-game road trip and a streak of games on
17 consecutive days.