San Diego @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2012 ) San Diego 4, Atlanta 1
For the first time in nearly a month, the Atlanta Braves have lost consecutive games. Strong pitching performances by left-handers Jon Niese on Sunday and Eric Stults on Monday handed the Braves their first back-to-back defeats since July 22-23. And another left-hander awaits the Braves in the second of a four-game home series with San Diego as Clayton Richard takes the mound Tuesday. The Padres have played much better of late, winning eight of 10. Richard is 2-0 in two August starts.
Sparked by NL player of the week Chase Headley, San Diego has scored four runs or more in four consecutive games and in six of its past eight. The Padres are 24-15 since June 29. Atlanta starter Tim Hudson looks to rebound from a rough showing his last time out against Philadelphia. Hudson remains one of the better pitchers in the NL in the second half, going 4-0 in six starts since the All-Star break.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego (San Diego), SportSouth (Atlanta).
PITCHING MATCHUP: San Diego LH Clayton Richard (9-11, 3.79 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Tim Hudson (11-4, 3.77).
Richard recovered from a rough July (5.09 ERA) to win his first two starts in August, allowing just one earned run in 16 innings in beating the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. Left-handers are hitting just .196 off the five-year veteran.
Hudson looked well on his way to winning his fifth consecutive start, leading Philadelphia 6-1 on Wednesday until allowing five runs in the fifth inning. Hudson allowed six hits and six runs in just 4 1/3 innings, but has not lost since July 1.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta SS Andrelton Simmons, on the disabled list since early July with a broken finger, said Monday he hopes to begin baseball activities soon.
2. San Diego C Yasmani Grandal took batting practice Monday. The rookie has been on the disabled list since late July with a strained right oblique.
3. The Braves expect to activate P Tommy Hanson from the disabled list Friday and send the right-hander to the mound that night against Los Angeles. Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said starting Friday, the Braves will use a six-man rotation for the rest of August.