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Marlins-Braves Preview

Jul 4, 2010 - 12:32 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Florida (37-42) at Atlanta (47-33), 5:05 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Braves won two of three in the first two series on their nine-game homestand, but they have to like their chances at coming away with a sweep in their third try.

Tim Hudson has been one of the majors' best pitchers at home, and he'll aim for his sixth straight win at Turner Field while trying to help the Braves finish off a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins on Sunday.

Atlanta (48-33) hasn't scored more than five runs in any of its last eight games at home, but it's gotten enough offense to support some outstanding pitching en route to a 6-2 record. All of its runs came in the fourth inning Saturday, as Omar Infante, Yunel Escobar and Gregor Blanco had consecutive RBI hits in the Braves' 4-1 win.

The Marlins have lost four straight to first-place Atlanta, and fell 10 1/2 games behind their NL East rivals.

"We need to pick it up," outfielder Cody Ross said. "Losing against these guys is not good. They're in first place, running away with it."

Atlanta's starters have a 2.44 ERA during the homestand, and perhaps none delivered a finer performance than Hudson (8-3, 2.37 ERA) on Monday. The right-hander continued to make a convincing case for his first All-Star appearance since 2004, pitching seven innings and outdueling phenom Stephen Strasburg in a 5-0 win over Washington.

"He's back," third baseman Chipper Jones told the Braves' official website. "He's in complete control out there. He's got his velocity back. He's getting his results, and the results aren't strikeouts and flyouts. He'll get his four, five or six punchouts. But he gets double plays and ground balls. He can get himself out of trouble with one pitch."

Hudson's been especially effective at home. He lost his first start at Turner Field on April 21, but is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA in his last five outings.

His lone start against the Marlins (37-43) came May 27 in rain-soaked South Florida. He allowed two runs over four innings, but didn't come back after a 77-minute rain delay in Atlanta's 8-3 win.

Hudson is 8-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 16 career starts versus Florida.

Ricky Nolasco (7-6, 4.84) was Hudson's opponent that night, just like he'll be Sunday afternoon. The right-hander seems to be finding his rhythm after an inconsistent first few months, and he'll be seeking a third straight win for the first time this season.

Nolasco gave up four runs over seven innings in a 7-5 win at Baltimore on June 23, then held the Mets to three runs over seven and struck out nine in a 10-3 victory Monday in Puerto Rico.

"He was throwing the heck out of the ball," Mets outfielder Jason Bay told the Marlins' official website. "His fastball was up there, and he had good offspeed stuff."

Nolasco is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in five starts at Turner Field, but plenty of Atlanta's lineup has enjoyed facing him. Jones is a .464 (13 for 28) hitter with four homers against Nolasco, Brian McCann is batting .323 (10 for 31) with four homers and Escobar is hitting .417 (10 for 24).