• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Lee opposes Hudson in Dixie

Apr 8, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - An anticipated battle for supremacy in the National League's East Division kicks off tonight in Atlanta, when the Philadelphia Phillies visit the Braves in the first of three weekend games at Turner Field.

Big-ticket free agent Cliff Lee makes his second 2011 start for the Phillies and aims for a second straight win after beating Houston on Saturday by allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out 11 in a seven-inning outing.

It marked Lee's return to the team with which he played en route to a World Series appearance in 2009, before he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that brought three minor leaguers to Philadelphia.

He split 2010 between the Mariners and Texas Rangers, with whom he appeared in a second straight World Series after combining to go 12-9 in 28 starts.

Lee is 1-1 in three career matchups with the Braves, allowing nine runs on 21 hits in 16 innings while walking no one and striking out 14.

Atlanta counters with 35-year-old veteran righty Tim Hudson, who'll make his 18th career start against Philadelphia. The Columbus, Ga. native has won six and lost seven when matched with the Phillies, posting a 3.79 ERA in 118 2/3 innings of work.

Like Lee, Hudson was a winner in his first 2011 start, limiting Washington to just three hits and a run in seven innings of an 11-2 Braves victory.

Hudson had his best season in six years with Atlanta in 2010, going 17-9 with a 2.83 ERA in 228 2/3 innings. He'd not won as many as 17 games since winning 18 in 2001 with Oakland.

On Thursday in Milwaukee, the Braves fell for the third straight time, losing 4-2 to the Brewers.

Tommy Hanson (0-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings while fanning two. Martin Prado drove in both Atlanta runs with a single in the second inning.

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Wilson Valdez collected a career-high four hits, with two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI as the Phillies finished off a series victory by pounding the New York Mets, 11-0, at Citizens Bank Park.

Placido Polanco went 2-for-5 and knocked in four runs and Raul Ibanez added a two-run home run and scored three times for the Phillies, who won two of three in the set and improved to 5-1 for the second straight year.

Roy Halladay (1-0) tossed seven scoreless innings, yielding only six hits and a walk while fanning seven.

Philly was 10-8 against the Braves last season, winning five of the final six meetings.