News
Flu bug not hampering Hanson
Atlanta (50-47) at Milwaukee (48-48), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Cash Kruth / MLB.com
07/24/09 11:43 PM ET
MILWAUKEE -- If this is how Tommy Hanson pitches when he's sick, the rest of baseball must be dreading the moment he kicks the flu bug for good. After gutting out six scoreless innings in which he held the Red Sox to just two hits while battling the flu in late June, Hanson and Braves manager Bobby Cox said Friday that Hanson is once again under the weather. "It's the same thing I had when I pitched against the Red Sox," Hanson said. "It's back, but I [felt] a lot better [Friday]. Before, I felt horrible, but I feel a lot better now." The virus hasn't just come upon Hanson the past few days. In fact, he said he began to feel weak before his last start Monday against the Giants. Just like in his last outing while battling the flu, Hanson sparkled, striking out 11 batters while holding the Giants to just three runs on five hits. Even with those results, Hanson said he still hasn't felt like himself. Cox said the rookie has lost 12 pounds during the past two weeks, and Hanson said Friday he was at 209 pounds -- 11 below his listed weight. "Really, it's just my throat that's been bothering me, and I haven't been able to eat," Hanson said. "But [I ate Friday] and I ate [Thursday] and the medication they have me on seems to be helping, so hopefully it will knock it out." Hanson said he's tested negative for both strep throat and mononucleosis, and also got blood work done. Friday was also his third straight day taking amoxicillin. "I just haven't felt good," Hanson said. "No energy, nothing like that. My body's hurting. It's the same thing I had, but last time it went away. This time it's stuck around a little bit longer." It may be Hanson's second bout with the flu during his short stint in the big leagues, but the virus certainly isn't hampering him. The 22-year-old rookie is 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA in nine starts, and his worst outing was his Major League debut against the Brewers on June 7. In that meeting, Hanson gave up seven runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- to earn the no-decision, but he said it was simply a few bad pitches and the excitement brought on by his first career appearance. On Saturday, Hanson will get the chance to redeem himself against the team that spoiled his debut. Although he won't be 100 percent, Hanson said he's confident he'll be able to handle pitching with the flu. After all, he's done it twice already. "It's the one time you just have to focus on pitching and not anything else," Hanson said of his mind-set of throwing while sick. "Anytime I've been sick and I've had to pitch, it's never really affected me too much, anyway. When I go out there, I just focus on what I need to do." Pitching matchupATL: RHP Tommy Hanson (5-0, 3.00 ERA)
The big righty earned a win against the Giants on Monday while notching a career-high 11 strikeouts, an Atlanta Braves record for a rookie. Hanson lasted seven innings and allowed three earned runs, and he left with the score tied at 3. However, the Braves rallied to give Hanson his fifth win, and he remains unbeaten. In his debut on June 7, he went six innings, but allowed six earned runs on three homers. MIL: RHP Yovani Gallardo (8-7, 3.28 ERA)
Gallardo posted a quality start in his first start since the All-Star break. He gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Sunday. Gallardo, who had seven strikeouts, allowed three Reds runs through the first three innings before settling down over his final three. He hasn't won a start since June 26. He will look to end that streak against the Braves, who he is 1-0 against this season. He pitched eight shutout innings in a 4-0 win on June 5. Tidbits
Ryan Braun's two-run homer in the fifth inning Friday broke a 78-inning homerless streak by Atlanta's pitching staff. It was the first home run allowed since July 12 at Colorado. ... Cox said before Friday's game that reliever Mike Gonzalez, who was struck in the left arm by a line drive on Thursday, was not available for the series opener and may be on the shelf for a few days. "He got hit hard," Cox said. "He's day-to-day." ... Former Major League player and manager Jim Fregosi was a visitor in Cox's office on Friday, and the two veteran baseball men talked about St. Louis' trade for outfielder Matt Holliday. "[Albert Pujols] has finally got a guy [to protect him]," Cox said to Fergosi, laughing. "You still can't pitch to him, though." ... Milwaukee will host its annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game on Saturday night, and both teams will wear reproductions of uniforms worn by Negro League clubs in their respective cities. The Braves will honor the Atlanta Black Crackers, who played in the Negro Leagues from 1919-52. Tickets
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• 640 WGST, Project 9-6-1 Up next
• Sunday: Braves (Derek Lowe, 9-7, 4.26) at Brewers (Braden Looper, 9-4, 4.64), 2:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Braves (Jair Jurrjens, 9-7, 2.67) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 7-7, 5.42), 7:10 p.m. ET
Cash Kruth is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
