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ATL@LAD: Ethier extends his hit streak to 16 games

Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier celebrated his sweet 16 on Tuesday night.

The Braves celebrated the victory.

On Wednesday, the clubs will clash again with Derek Lowe on the mound for the Braves and Jon Garland on the hill for the Dodgers.

Who will get the last laugh in the third game of the series?

The pitching could be the difference, but it is Ethier's bat that has become the center of attention.

Ethier hit a double in the first inning Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. It's the longest streak in the Major Leagues this season and ties the longest hitting streak of Ethier's career. Overall, he's hitting .393 (24-for-61) during the streak, dating to April 2.

"He's battling every at-bat," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He's focused every day. He's been really good at not giving away at-bats. He's fighting for every one and giving himself a chance. You get a hit every day, it makes you feel good. You're trying to win games and you don't even realize the hitting streak."

Ethier is hitting .362 with one home run and seven RBIs.

"I'm not worried about his power at all," Mattingly said. "It's going to be there."

Having posted a 1.46 ERA over his past nine regular-season starts, Lowe will attempt to extend his success while pitching on short rest. He has won three of his five regular-season starts on short rest.

Garland's debut after returning from a strained oblique did not go as planned. He gave up a pair of homers to Cardinals slugger Lance Berkman and was charged with a balk that allowed a run to score. Garland was signed to eat innings and give the bullpen rest. He'll try to do that Wednesday.

Braves: Freeman rebounds fast
• First baseman Freddie Freeman went hitless in Monday's game, the first time since April 7, snapping his career-best hitting streak at nine games. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and double Tuesday.

• Martin Prado went 2-for-4 with two walks and a solo home run Tuesday. Prado has hit safely in his last seven games at Dodger Stadium, batting .375 with two home runs and five RBIs during that span.

Dodgers: Eight not so great
• The eight runs allowed in the ninth inning Tuesday were the most runs the Dodgers allowed in an inning since giving up nine second-inning runs to the Brewers on May 4, 2010.

• Dodgers pitchers also issued a season-high eight walks and gave up a season-high-tying four home runs for the second time in five games.

• Vicente Padilla pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his second Minor League rehabilitation Tuesday night for Class A Rancho Cucamonga and could be activated for the upcoming trip that starts Friday. On Sunday, he allowed a run on two hits in one inning.

Worth noting
• Jerry Sands hit a double and drove in a run for the Dodgers for the second straight game since being promoted from Triple-A.

• Atlanta was previously the only team in the National League without a pinch-hit with its pinch-hitters going 0-for-25 with eight strikeouts and no walks before Tuesday.

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