“Last time we were here, I knew he had tied it before we came in,” the umpire said. “I didn’t know he hadn’t had any ejections since then.”

The reason for the heave-ho: “Just routine arguing balls and strikes,” Barrett said. “Nothing out of the ordinary from other ejections.”

The Giants weren’t much happier with Barrett than the Braves.

“He had a tough time behind the plate tonight,” first baseman Ryan Klesko said. “And it was both sides. Guys were questioning his strike zone all night. They can’t have great days all the time.”

After Cox was tossed, the Braves rallied.

Mark Teixeira sparked a four-run sixth with a homer to center. He has gone deep five times in 12 games with the Braves, who acquired him from Texas just before the deadline for non-waiver trades. He has 18 homers overall this season.

Brian McCann followed with a single to right against Jack Taschner, who was replaced by Scott Atchison. Jeff Francoeur took a called third strike, but Andruw Jones walked and Yunel Escobar followed with a two-run double to the gap in right center.

Escobar, who has played brilliantly for the Braves since being promoted from the minors, clapped his hands emphatically as he stood at second base. He sped home with the go-ahead run on the very next pitch, scoring on Matt Diaz’s pinch-single to center.

Wickman (3-2) cost John Smoltz his 11th win. Pinch-hitter Daniel Ortmeier tripled with one out and wound up scoring on Dave Roberts’ groundout with the bases loaded. The Giants reloaded the bases, but Wickman struck out Klesko.

He had been 9-for-9 in save chances at home, going 19 2-3 innings without allowing an earned run.

“I’m glad we got the win,” Wickman said. “But it’s not my job to get wins. My job is to get saves.”

The Giants jumped ahead in the second on a run-scoring single by Pedro Feliz. Klesko stretched the lead with a two-out, two-run double in the third.

Notes: Bonds played in left field under the 755 Club, a restaurant named in honor of Aaron’s career homer total. ... Smoltz has gone four starts without a win. His last victory came July 23 at San Francisco. ... Wickman has blown six saves in 25 chances.

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