Atlanta @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2012 ) Atlanta 4, Miami 3
Hanley Ramirez was back in the starting lineup for the Miami Marlins, but it wasn't for long. After Tuesday's game, Ramirez and reliever Randy Choate were traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and minor-league hurler Scott McGough. The move comes on the heels of Miami trading Anibal Sanchez and infielder Omar Infante earlier this week. The Marlins will conclude a three-game home series against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
Atlanta snapped a three-game losing skid by downing the Marlins on Tuesday as starting pitcher Tim Hudson mowed down the final 16 batters he faced. The Braves are 4 1/2 games behind the Washington Nationals in the National League East. The Marlins have lost six of their last seven and are 12 1/2 games behind the Nationals. Miami starter Ricky Nolasco has had problems getting out two of Atlanta’s top batters. Braves catcher Brian McCann is batting .347 with six homers, four doubles and 20 RBIs in 49 career at-bats against Nolasco. Veteran third baseman Chipper Jones has nine extra-base hits (four homers, five doubles) while batting .341 in 44 at-bats against Nolasco.
TV: 12:40 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tommy Hanson (10-5, 4.50 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (8-8, 4.55)
Hanson has been roughed up in two straight starts and was fortunate to receive a no-decision both times. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings against the New York Mets on July 14 and gave up eight runs and as many hits in four innings against the Washington Nationals six days later. Hanson has won five of his last six decisions. He is 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA in nine career starts against the Marlins.
Nolasco has lost back-to-back starts and five of his past seven decisions. He gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings while falling to the Pittsburgh Pirates in his last effort. Nolasco lost to the Braves on May 17 when he gave up four runs in four innings. He is 5-8 with a 4.94 ERA in 21 career appearances (20 starts) against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jones is batting .365 with 13 RBIs in 17 games in July.
2. Marlins SS Jose Reyes, who has a 12-game hitting streak, is 5-for-13 in his career against Hanson.
3. Braves OF Martin Prado has a .353 average in 34 career at-bats against Nolasco.