Atlanta @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2012 ) Atlanta 4, Boston 1

After losing seven of eight games, Atlanta looks like it has settled back into a winning pattern. The Braves won the final two games of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium, then extended their winning streak to three games with a 4-1 victory on Friday in Boston. Jason Heyward continues to pound the baseball, banging out three hits Friday to raise his average in June to .377. Boston saw its five-game winning streak end, as Jair Jurrjens held the Red Sox to just three hits in 7 2/3 innings.

The Red Sox remain 5 1/2 games behind New York in the American League East standings. Boston has struggled at home, dropping to 17-20 at Fenway Park this season. Atlanta moved to within three games of Washington in the National League East and improved to 23-15 on the road. Braves right-hander Randall Delgado looks to build off a strong outing his last time out in Saturday’s second game of the series. Boston turns to lefty Franklin Morales, who pitched well in his first start of the season Sunday.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta RH Randall Delgado (4-7, 4.12 ERA) vs. Boston LH Franklin Morales (0-1, 3.14).

Delgado has lost his past two starts, but the 22-year-old is making progress. He allowed just three hits and two runs in a loss to Baltimore on Sunday, going eight innings with one walk and six strikeouts. Delgado walked a season-high six in a loss to the Yankees on June 11.

Moved from the bullpen to the rotation last week, Morales struck out nine Cubs in five effective innings Sunday. He allowed just four hits and two runs with no walks, and has issued just eight free passes in 28 2/3 innings. Morales has allowed just two runs on six hits with 16 strikeouts and zero walks over his last 12 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston OF Carl Crawford is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday.

2. Heyward has posted three consecutive multi-hit games and brings an eight-game hitting streak into Saturday.

3. Atlanta RHP Chad Durbin has not allowed a run in 20 of his past 21 appearances.