"Maybe Derek Lowe is starting to sniff September.

The Braves veteran, who seems to lock in come playoff time, started a little early Friday night, and the sensation lasted long enough to get the offense going behind him and the bullpen ready to pick him up in his usual sixth-inning trouble spot.

In the midst of a homestand that's starting to feel like the stretch run, Lowe pitched accordingly for five shutout innings in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

He was buoyed by three home runs - from Michael Bourn, Brian McCann and Chipper Jones - and some good relief work from rookie Arodys Vizcaino.

Lowe was up to 99 pitches after he hit a batter and walked another to lead off the sixth. Manager Fredi Gonzalez came for him, and turned it over to Vizcaino, who retired the side on two strikeouts and a deep fly ball.

"With my track record in the sixth inning, I think Fredi wasn't going to wait for the snowball to go down the hill," said Lowe, who has an 8.47 ERA in the sixth inning this season. "It's something you've got to earn.""