Arizona @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) Arizona 1, Atlanta 8

Atlanta opened a 10-game homestand Tuesday night having dropped six of its previous seven at Turner Field. The Braves began their extended stay at home in fine fashion, beating Arizona 8-1 to end the Diamondbacks’ four-game winning streak. The victory improved Atlanta’s home record to 16-17, and playing better at home is a must if the Braves are going to stay in the NL East race. Arizona gets shortstop Stephen Drew back Wednesday. Drew has been out since last July with a broken ankle.

Of more pressing concern for the Diamondbacks is Daniel Hudson, who left Tuesday’s start after 1 2/3 innings with tightness in his right forearm. Hudson missed a month earlier this season with a shoulder injury. Arizona gives the ball to Trevor Cahill, who has won his past four starts. The Braves will start Tommy Hanson, who along with Hudson must shoulder the load at the top of the Atlanta rotation with the season-ending elbow injury to Brandon Beachy.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Arizona), Sports South (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Arizona RH Trevor Cahill (6-5, 3.47 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Tommy Hanson (8-4, 3.54 ERA).

Cahill has not lost since May 28, allowing eight earned runs in his past 29 1/3 innings with eight walks and 25 strikeouts. The right-hander didn’t pitch well his last time out, giving up six earned runs in six innings against Seattle but nonetheless earning the victory. Hanson has won three of his past four starts, going 3-0 with eight earned runs allowed in 25 1/3 innings. Hanson beat the Yankees on June 20, striking out five and allowing four earned runs in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta’s Dan Uggla remains mired in a long slump. The Braves’ second baseman is hitting .118 (7-for-59) in his past 18 games with just one homer, five RBIs and 24 strikeouts.

2. The Diamondbacks will promote top pitching prospect Trevor Bauer to make his major-league debut in Thursday’s series finale.

3. Atlanta moved hot-hitting Jason Heyward to the second spot in the lineup Tuesday. Heyward went 2-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. He is batting .487 during the hitting streak.