Houston @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( May 1, 2010 ) Houston 1, Atlanta 10
How quickly the Atlanta Braves’ fortunes have changed.
Just two days ago, the Braves limped home from an 0-7 road trip on a nine-game losing streak, their longest skid since June 2006. After two games against the struggling Houston Astros, they seem to have set everything right again.
Strong pitching has been the biggest key to the Braves' quick turnaround - they have allowed only three runs in the first two games of the series - but Atlanta's offense suddenly sprang to life Saturday when the Braves pounded out 15 hits in a 10-1 win.
Rookie outfielder Jason Heyward has had a big hand in the resurgence, hitting home runs in three consecutive games and putting together a 5-for-11 string after enduring a 1-for-20 stretch over the previous seven games. Heyward leads all rookies with seven home runs and 20 RBIs.
Even slumping first baseman Troy Glaus got in on the action Saturday, finally performing like the cleanup hitter the Braves had hoped for when they signed him. After entering Saturday, game hitting .194, he went 3 for 5 and drove in four runs to raise his average 27 points.
The Braves have done it without shortstop Yunel Escobar, who has missed the past two games with a strained thigh. Omar Infante started in his place Saturday and went 3-for-5 and scored three runs in the leadoff spot.
Atlanta will send veteran right-hander Derek Lowe to the mound today in search of their first series sweep of the season.
Lowe has allowed four or more runs in four of his five starts this season, most recently giving up five runs on five hits in 5 2-3 innings in a 5-4 loss at St. Louis on Tuesday. Lowe hasn't pitched beyond the sixth inning this year. He is 4-3 with a 3.57 ERA in nine career starts against the Astros.
The Astros have managed only 10 hits in the series, but the matchup against Lowe might bode well for them. Four Houston players boast career averages over .400 against Lowe, led by leadoff man Michael Bourn, who is 5-for-10 against him. Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and Pedro Feliz each have hit two home runs off Lowe.
The Astros will turn to 25-year-old right-hander Bud Norris to try to stop the bleeding of a five-game losing streak. Houston had won seven of eight before its current skid.
Norris is off to a rough start this year. He hasn't pitched past the fifth in any of his four starts and gave up five runs on six hits in his last outing Tuesday against Cincinnati. He has never faced the Braves.