Houston @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2010 ) Houston 2, Atlanta 4
The Atlanta Braves ended their nine-game losing streak on Friday at the Houston Astros' expense. Now the Astros hope to return the favor and snap their four-game skid.
The Braves' nine-game skid was the club's longest since June 2006. Houston's four-game losing streak isn't even its longest of the season - the Astros opened the season with eight consecutive losses.
After hitting only one home run during the skid, the Braves' offense showed signs of life Friday with Nate McLouth and rookie Jason Heyward hitting home runs off Houston starter Brett Myers. After getting a day off Wednesday, Heyward has homered in two consecutive games. His six home runs are the most by a rookie in the majors.
McLouth, who led off Friday's game with his second home run of the season, is 8-for-18 with four home runs in his last five games against Houston. Friday's two-hit game was the first multi-hit game of the season for McLouth, who is hitting .175.
The Braves will try to keep it going on Saturday, most likely against left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, who was scratched from his scheduled start Friday because of back spasms. Rodriguez threw during batting practice Friday without issue, and the Astros hope to throw him back into the rotation Saturday.
After losing his first two starts, Rodriguez has been closer to his 2009 form in his last two outings. He pitched into the eighth in his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing one earned run and five hits while striking out seven to pick up his first win of the season. In seven career appearances against Atlanta, Rodriguez is 2-1 with a 4.89 ERA.
The Braves will turn to veteran right-hander Tim Hudson, who is off to a solid start in his return from Tommy John surgery. Hudson hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his four starts this season, going six or more innings in three of them. His command has been a bit of an issue, though, as he has issued 10 walks.
In Hudson's last outing, he allowed three runs on six hits over six innings but didn't factor in the decision in a 4-3 loss at St. Louis.
As expected, Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar was held out Friday after straining his left inner thigh when making an off-balance throw Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Astros first baseman Lance Berkman also missed Friday's game with a groin injury, his second stint battling an injury this year. Berkman missed the first 12 games of the season after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.