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Phillies-Braves Preview

Jul 1, 2009 - 4:49 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Philadelphia (39-34) at Atlanta (35-40), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Cole Hamels uncharacteristically lost his composure in his last start. The Philadelphia Phillies left-hander, though, hasn't had much stress versus the Atlanta Braves during his career.

Hamels tries to win his fifth straight start at Turner Field on Wednesday night when the NL East-leading Phillies look to even their three-game set with Atlanta.

Coming off an eight-inning effort June 21 when he yielded two runs in a 2-1 loss to Baltimore, Hamels (4-4, 4.44 ERA) lasted just 4 2-3 innings in Friday's 6-1 loss at Toronto. Manager Charlie Manuel replaced Hamels after he allowed four runs and eight hits, but the Philadelphia left-hander was ejected after arguing with the home plate umpire on his way to the dugout.

Hamels was the first Phillies player to be ejected in 2009.

"I got what I deserved," he told the team's official Web site prior to Saturday's 10-0 win at Toronto.

Although Philadelphia has lost Hamels' last three outings, the Phillies' ace is 4-0 with a 3.21 ERA in his last four starts in Atlanta. Hamels also gave up two runs and three hits over six innings in a 10-6 win over the visiting Braves on May 8 to improve to 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 12 career starts against them.

Philadelphia (39-35) had its nine-game winning streak in Atlanta snapped on Tuesday, falling 5-4 in 10 innings.

John Mayberry Jr. and Pedro Feliz hit back-to-back homers in the eighth to put the Phillies up 4-3, but Atlanta second baseman Martin Prado had an RBI double in the eighth and a game-winning single in the 10th as the Braves defeated Philadelphia at home for the first time since a 9-8 victory on Sept. 5, 2007.

"This is the first night I've felt comfortable at home plate in a long time," Prado said after going 4 for 5 with a career-high four RBIs. "I wish I could have the same feeling every day. But it's hard for me because I play once in a while, maybe."

Braves manager Bobby Cox, though, said that Prado will remain the starting second baseman for now.

Atlanta (36-40) gives the ball to Jair Jurrjens (5-6, 2.93) as it goes for its third consecutive victory and first series win at home against the Phillies since taking two of three from Sept. 3-5, 2007. The Braves are 5-2 against the Phillies in 2009.

Jurrjens went 0-4 with a 3.68 ERA in five June starts, but Atlanta scored only nine runs during these outings. The right-hander has received an average of 3.87 runs in his 16 starts - among the lowest in the NL.

"Hopefully we can score some runs and win some ballgames," Jurrjens said following Friday's 4-1 loss to Boston. "I'm giving 100 percent every time I go out there. That's all I can do."

Jurrjens is 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA in five career starts against Philadelphia. In his season debut, Jurrjens held the Phillies to four hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 4-0 victory on April 7

Braves center fielder Nate McLouth sat for the third consecutive game with a sore left hamstring, but Gregor Blanco stepped in and went 3 for 5 with two runs.

McLouth could return to the lineup Wednesday.

After sitting the past four games, Phillies leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts as his batting average dipped to .207. He is hitless in his last 24 at-bats.

Philadelphia, a major league-best 26-13 on the road, is 3-4 on its nine-game trip.