San Francisco @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2010 ) San Francisco 2, Atlanta 3
Tom Glavine was preparing for his final hurrah with the Atlanta Braves last June when he was unceremoniously released to make way for a hot shot kid named Tommy Hanson.
More than a year later, the Braves will properly honor their World Series hero by inducting Glavine into their Hall of Fame and retiring his number Friday.
Almost by design, Hanson will take the mound moments after the festivities as the National League East-leading Braves continue a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants.
Glavine was a cornerstone of the Braves’ dynasty of the 1990s, racking up 244 of his 305 career wins while helping Atlanta to five World Series appearances. The crowning achievement of his career was being named MVP of the 1995 Fall Classic – the Braves’ lone championship of the decade.
He re-signed with Atlanta in 2008 after five seasons with the New York Mets, but only made six starts before undergoing shoulder surgery.
The Braves abruptly released him days before his first start of 2009 in order to make way for Hanson (8-8, 3.83), their top pitching prospect who was considered the next great Braves’ starter.
The then-22-year-old Hanson was called up on June 4 and made his debut in place of Glavine three days later. He went 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 21 starts, cementing his place in the rotation.
Hanson’s been Glavine-like lately but doesn’t have the wins to show for it. On Sunday, Hanson allowed two runs – one earned – and five hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 2-1 setback to Cincinnati. He is winless in his last five starts despite a 2.67 ERA in that span.
Facing the Giants again could help him break into the win column for the first time since July 3. Hanson limited San Francisco to three runs in seven innings of an 11-3 victory last July.
The Braves are seeking a third straight win at Turner Field. They improved to 37-14 at home with a 3-2 victory on Thursday. Eric Hinske’s go-ahead homer in the sixth inning was the difference.
Atlanta holds a two-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East.
Meanwhile, the Giants seek to avoid losing three straight for the first time in a month behind Barry Zito (8-6, 3.38), who, like Hanson has received minimal run support recently. The left-hander has a 2.62 ERA over his last three starts, but zero wins to show for it.
Zito is 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 12 career starts vs. Atlanta - including 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA at Turner Field.
He will try to help the Giants keep pace with the San Diego Padres, who lead the NL West by two games.