Kenshin Kawakami shut down the Chicago Cubs for six innings and shortstop Yunel Escobar made a run-saving defensive play in the eighth, helping preserve the Atlanta Braves' 4-1 victory Wednesday.

Casey Kotchman homered for the Braves, who won a road series for the first time in nearly two months. After going 0-6 against the Cubs in 2008, Atlanta won this season's series 4-2.

With a runner on second base and reliever Mike Gonzalez trying to protect Atlanta's 2-1 eighth-inning lead, Kosuke Fukudome hit a line drive up the middle. Escobar, who turned in several outstanding plays in the series, made a full-out dive and caught the ball to keep the tying run from scoring.