Atlanta @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2018 ) Atlanta 7, Arizona 6

The Atlanta Braves started their seven-game road trip with a 10-inning triumph and look to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks again on Friday in the second contest of their four-game series. Atlanta squandered a two-run, ninth-inning lead before notching a 7-6 victory to win for just the third time in nine contests.

Nick Markakis went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, Kurt Suzuki hit a two-run homer and Johan Camargo belted a solo shot to help the Braves increase their lead over Philadelphia in the National League East to 3 1/2 games. Young star Ronald Acuna Jr. was hitless in five at-bats in the series opener and is just 1-for-16 - with the hit being a homer - with seven strikeouts over his last four games. The Diamondbacks have dropped five of their last six contests and are 2 1/2 games behind first-place Colorado in the NL West and trail St. Louis by three for the NL's second wild-card spot. Slugger Paul Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning on Thursday and is 12-for-28 with two blasts, three doubles and five RBIs over his last seven games.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kevin Gausman (9-9, 3.78 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (10-5, 3.06)

Gausman has been splendid since being acquired from Baltimore, going 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA in six starts. The 27-year-old did not factor in the decision in his last start after giving up three runs - one earned - and five hits over six innings against Pittsburgh. Gausman has served up just two homers since joining the Braves after giving up 21 in 21 outings with the Orioles.

Corbin is 0-1 over his last three starts despite allowing just four runs and 12 hits while recording 24 strikeouts in 18 innings during the stretch. The 29-year-old is 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 14 home starts. Corbin is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) against the Braves, with the loss coming on July 15 as he yielded four runs and six hits over six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed has notched four RBIs over his last two games - three on Thursday - after driving in just two runs over his previous 26 contests.

2. Suzuki is 19-for-53 with three homers and nine RBIs over his last 17 contests.

3. Arizona OF Jarrod Dyson (groin) will undergo season-ending surgery, while the club acquired INF-OF Patrick Kivlehan from the New York Mets for cash considerations.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Diamondbacks 2