Dodgers 5 - 7 Braves
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Jul 20, 2015 - 9:43 PM After watching the Los Angeles Dodgers' top two starters dominate as usual, Brandon Beachy will seek to do the same to his former team.

He would probably settle for a better performance than an unsatisfying return from a pair of Tommy John surgeries when he faces the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

The Dodgers (53-40) closed out their three-game series in Washington with a pair of scoreless outings from two of the best pitchers in the game, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. Greinke has kept opponents off the scoreboard for 43 2-3 consecutive innings after a 5-0 victory Sunday.

Beachy (0-1, 6.75 ERA) has the difficult task of trying to keep that run going while continuing to knock off the rust from a nearly two-year layoff. The right-hander gave up three runs in four innings in a 7-1 loss to Milwaukee on July 11, his first major league start since his final one for Atlanta on Aug. 20, 2013.

"I was really excited to get out there, and I'm really disappointed now. It's not the way I pictured it for 23 months, but it is what it is," Beachy said. "I didn't feel lost by any means. There was never a point where I didn't feel like I knew where the ball was going. It's just sometimes I rushed. I could feel what I was doing wrong.

"Now it's about making pitches, and I'm going to be a lot better."

Beachy was considered one of the Braves' top 10 prospects after reaching the majors in 2010 but only got one full season with Atlanta before hurting his right elbow in 2012. The franchise didn't offer him a contract in December, and he signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in February.

In his matchup with the Braves, Beachy will try to lead Los Angeles to its seventh win in nine games and ninth in its last 12 road contests. The Dodgers are also seeking their ninth victory in the last 11 games against Atlanta after taking two of three at home from May 25-27.

The Braves (43-49) enter this series having dropped seven of eight and were nearly shut out for the second straight game Sunday, scoring their lone run in a 4-1 defeat to the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning. Atlanta, a season-worst six games under .500, has averaged 2.6 runs in its last 23 games and has plated five in its last four at home.

"I know we've got to play better," shortstop Andrelton Simmons said. "There's no more waiting."

Matt Wisler (3-1, 3.10) was denied his third consecutive winning start despite another strong performance July 11. He gave up two runs and struck out seven over six innings in a 3-2 loss in Colorado, his fifth major league start.

There's a chance he could face Carl Crawford if the outfielder returns from a strained right oblique that's kept him out since April 27. Crawford, who is expected to join the Dodgers in Atlanta, is batting .425 (17 for 40) with three homers in his last 12 games against the Braves, including four in the playoffs.

It's also unclear if Yasmani Grandal will be available after taking a foul ball off his catcher's mask Sunday. X-rays on his jaw were negative but he's expected to have more tests Monday.

Braves reliever Andrew McKirahan will return after serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, as the team reinstated him Monday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed catcher A.J. Ellis on the 15-day disabled list with right knee inflammation.

The Dodgers have placed catcher A.J. Ellis on the 15-day disabled list with right knee inflammation and recalled rookie catcher Austin Barnes, who is hitting eighth Monday.






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