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Jul 12, 2009 - 5:21 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Atlanta (42-44) at Colorado (46-40), 3:10 p.m. EDT

Brad Hawpe has another reason to be excited to be headed to the All-Star game. When he returns, he won't have to face the Atlanta Braves again.

Hawpe hopes to reverse his woes against the Braves on Sunday when the Colorado Rockies try to salvage a four-game home split.

The right fielder was selected to his first All-Star team due to a fantastic season. He is second on the club with a .318 average and tied for the team lead with 57 RBIs.

The Rockies' cleanup hitter hasn't fared as well versus Atlanta (42-44). He is batting .125 (3 for 24) - his lowest average against any team he has played against at least twice in 2009 - with one RBI in seven games against the Braves.

Colorado (46-40) is 2 for 19 with runners in scoring position in consecutive losses, falling 4-3 on Saturday.

Brian McCann had two sacrifice flies for Atlanta, which has won four of five and nine of its last 13. The Braves can get to the .500 mark for the first time since June 12 with a win Sunday.

"We've got a good team," McCann told the Braves' official Web site. "We're starting to put the pieces together now and it's going to be fun to see what we can do after the break."

Ryan Church started in right field Saturday for the Braves a day after he was acquired from the New York Mets for outfielder Jeff Francoeur. Church went 0 for 4, but made a nice running catch near the wall of a fifth-inning drive by Seth Smith.

Rookie Kris Medlen (2-3, 5.72 ERA) will make his fourth career start for the Braves, and first since May 31. He is making a spot start in place of Javier Vazquez, who was scratched with a strained lower abdominal muscle.

Medlen went 1-2 with a 6.28 ERA in three May starts for Atlanta. The right-hander made his major league debut against the Rockies on May 21 and lasted three-plus innings, allowing five runs while issuing five walks and throwing two wild pitches in a 9-0 loss.

Hawpe had an RBI single in two at-bats versus Medlen.

"I'm just ready to get out there and get my second chance against the Rockies," Medlen said. "I do feel a little more comfortable out there on the mound. I'm taking my time and going a little slower than I was when I first faced them."

The Rockies have won four straight home starts by Jason Hammel (5-4, 4.07), who is 1-0 with a 6.53 ERA in that span. He gave up four runs over 5 2-3 innings Tuesday and did not get a decision in a 5-4 victory over Washington.

The right-hander, who began the season in the bullpen, is 5-1 with a 3.76 ERA in his last nine starts.

That strong stretch started for Hammel after he lost to the Braves on May 19. He matched a season high by surrendering six runs over six innings in an 8-1 loss in his lone career start versus Atlanta.