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CHC@ATL: Hanson fans eight over seven strong frames

Wednesday afternoon's series finale between the Braves and Marlins in Miami will feature two pitchers ready to put their recent subpar performances behind them.

Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson has tossed just 9 1/3 innings in his last two outings, allowing 14 runs on 17 hits. An achilles heel for him all season, Hanson combined to give up three home runs in the two games, adding to his career-high total of 19 on the season.

Having trouble consistently commanding his fastball on Friday against the Nationals, Hanson surrendered a season-high eight runs on eight hits, but didn't figure in the decision.

"I just felt like I could never really get in a groove," Hanson said. "I didn't feel like I had my best stuff, and my command was shaky. There were times that I felt good and confident, and there were other times I just wasn't throwing it where I wanted to go."

Meanwhile, Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco has lost his last two starts, allowing eight runs on 14 hits in 13 1/3 innings.

On Friday against the Pirates, Nolasco allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings, falling to 8-8 on the season with a 4.55 ERA.

The difference in a 4-3 loss came on two solo shots Nolasco allowed in the fourth and fifth, the first home runs he'd ever served up to the Bucs.

"We're just not winning. We're not consistent. You can't sit here and point at one thing or another thing," Nolasco said. "Bottom line is we're just not getting it done. It's frustrating, especially with the players we have in here, but that's why baseball is such a tough game."

Braves: Dempster still considering options
• The Braves and Cubs agreed on a trade Monday that would send Ryan Dempster to Atlanta for rookie right-hander Randall Delgado and at least one other Minor League player. However, Dempster still continues to weigh other options.

He has the right to veto any trade because he has played at the Major League level for at least 10 seasons and with the same team for at least the past five seasons.

According to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Dempster is holding out hope that he will eventually be traded to the Dodgers.

"I want to look everything over before I make a decision, and I've got time to do that," Dempster said Tuesday. "There's a week before the [non-waiver] Trade Deadline."

Marlins: Petersen, Jennings recalled
• Needing to fill two spots on their 25-man roster, the Marlins recalled outfielder Bryan Petersen and left-handed reliever Dan Jennings from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday.

The moves were made after Monday's trade that sent second baseman Omar Infante and starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez to Detroit for three prospects.

For Petersen and Jennings, it's their third time up with the big league club this year. Petersen is hitting .212 in 22 appearances, including 14 starts, while Jennings is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five innings for the Marlins this year.

"Maybe once in a while Petey will start, but I'm not promising him any playing time," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I go with who swings the bat better. If I see one of my players needs some rest, then Petey will start."

Worth noting
• Juwan Howard of the NBA champion Miami Heat threw out the first pitch Tuesday at Marlins Park. He is the second member of the Heat to throw out a ceremonial first pitch in Miami since the team won the NBA title last month. Shane Battier was the first, doing so on June 30.

• Nolasco averages 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings against the Braves. He set a Marlins franchise record with 16 strikeouts in a game against Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2009.

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