News
Hanson kicks off key series for Braves
Atlanta (67-60) at Philadelphia (73-52), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
08/27/09 12:38 PM ET
ATLANTA -- If the Braves are going to regain any legitimate hope of winning the National League East this year, they would seemingly need to go into Philadelphia this weekend and complete a three-game sweep of the defending world champion Phillies. But they obviously aren't going to publicly declare anything more than the fact that they understand the importance of going into the City of Brotherly Love and escaping with a series victory. "You're going against the division leaders," Braves outfielder Matt Diaz said. "It would be huge to take the first game. Then, you can think about winning a series. Then, if you win the second game, then you can start thinking about getting a sweep. But you can't go in saying we have to sweep." Entering this weekend's three-game series, the Braves trail the first-place Phillies by seven games in the division race. If they were able to gain a sweep, they'd still be staring at a four-game deficit. While this might not bring great optimism regarding a division title, it would at least alter the outlook the Braves faced after losing the first two games of this week's home series against the Padres. After exiting Philadelphia, the Braves will play a four-game series against the Marlins, who sit one game behind them in both the division and NL Wild Card standings. Even with the demoralizing losses suffered against the Padres, the Braves still enter this weekend trailing the front-running Rockies by just 4 1/2 games in the Wild Card race. "This is a big series and a huge road trip all together," Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson said. "It's not going to make or break us. But it's huge games coming up against two tough teams. I obviously want to start out on a good note and throw the ball well." While celebrating his 23rd birthday on Friday, Hanson will have the opportunity to oppose Pedro Martinez and attempt to get the series started in the right direction. This will be the first time the heralded rookie right-hander has opposed the Phillies. "Being on my birthday, against Pedro, it's huge too," said Hanson, who is 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA in four starts this month. "But it's just another game and I'm thinking of it that way. I'm just looking forward to pitching against the Phillies and hopefully kicking the road trip off on a good note." This battle -- between a former Cy Young winner and a rookie hurler who has the potential to gain the same award in the future -- will kick off a string of strong pitching matchups. While sending the struggling Derek Lowe to the mound on Saturday, the Braves will get their first look at Cliff Lee, who has gone 5-0 with an 0.68 ERA in his five starts with the Phillies. The Braves, who have won eight of the 12 games played against the Phillies this year, will pit Jair Jurrjens against Joe Blanton in Sunday's series finale. This year's success against the Phillies has come courtesy of the fact that the Braves starters have posted a 2.81 ERA against Philly's powerful lineup. During eight of the 12 games, they've been charged with two earned runs or less. "I don't think you can make any series bigger than it is the rest of the year," Diaz said. "We need to put together a run at some point and the sooner the better." Pitching matchupATL: RHP Tommy Hanson (9-2, 3.12 ERA)
While going 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA in his past four starts, Hanson has strengthened his bid to be named the National League's Rookie of the Year. While celebrating his 23rd birthday on Friday, Hanson will be given his first opportunity to face the challenges presented by Philadelphia's powerful lineup and Citizens Bank Park's cozy confines. Since surrendering three homers in his June 7 debut, Hanson has made 13 starts and surrendered a total of six homers. He was bidding for a no-hitter until surrendering three consecutive two-out hits in the fifth inning of Saturday's win over the Marlins. PHI: RHP Pedro Martinez (2-0, 5.14 ERA)
Martinez had hoped Sunday's start against the Mets would be a good step forward for him. Instead, he pitched well enough to win, but still found much to improve upon. He allowed seven hits, four runs, one walk and two home runs in six innings. He struck out five. His game got off to a bad start when Angel Pagan hit an inside-the-park home run that should have been no more than a triple, but Shane Victorino tried to convince the umpires that Pagan's ball had lodged under the outfield wall's padding. Tidbits
Yunel Escobar has three hits in four career at-bats against Martinez. None of the other current Braves have hit better than .238 in their careers against the three-time Cy Young Award winner. ... Against the Phillies this year, Martin Prado has eight hits in 13 at-bats and Matt Diaz owns a .571 (12-for-21) batting average. ... Nate McLouth will begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Double-A Mississippi on Monday. ... Sunday night's game was picked up by ESPN and will now start at 8:05 p.m. ET. Tickets
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On the Internet
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Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• SPSO On radio
• 640 WGST, Project 9-6-1 Up next
• Saturday: Braves (Derek Lowe, 12-8, 4.48) at Phillies (Cliff Lee, 12-9, 2.63), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Braves (Jair Jurrjens, 10-8, 2.91) at Phillies (Joe Blanton, 8-6, 3.88), 8:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Braves (Tim Hudson, first start of the season) at Marlins (Josh Johnson, 13-3, 3.04), 7:10 p.m. ET
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
