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Unbeaten Harang, Padres resume set with Braves

Apr 26, 2011 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - An excellent effort by the Padres' bullpen helped the club snag an extra-innings victory over the Braves in last night's opener of a three-game series. The unit is likely to be handed a lead this evening with Aaron Harang set to make the start.

Harang tries to extend his season-opening four-game win streak this evening as San Diego hosts Atlanta at Petco Park.

The 32-year-old Harang has pitched to a 1.88 earned run average in winning his first four starts with the Padres. The San Diego-born hurler hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of the outings and has pitched six innings each time out, including Wednesday in Chicago. Harang gave up two runs on nine hits without a walk in the back end of a doubleheader, with the Padres holding on for a 5-4 win.

"Aaron pitched well," San Diego manager Bud Black told his club's website. "Six solid innings, two runs. In the sixth, he started to elevate the ball a little bit, but the last 8-10 pitches, he really threw with conviction."

The right-hander has faced the Braves seven times in his career, going 1-2 with a 3.67 ERA. He could find himself locked in a pitchers' duel tonight if Jair Jurrjens can continue his solid return from an oblique injury.

The 25-year-old righty hurled seven scoreless innings in his season debut on April 16 to beat the Mets, then allowed a run on seven hits over six innings of a no-decision at the Dodgers on Thursday. Jurrjens fanned six and rebounded after a 36-pitch first inning.

Jurrjens is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA in four career starts against San Diego.

The Padres ended a four-game losing streak with last night's 5-3 victory over the Braves in 13 innings, getting seven shutout innings of four-hit ball from their bullpen. That gave Ryan Ludwick time to smack his second homer of the game, a two-run walk-off shot.

Ludwick is hitting just .195 on the season, but doubled his homer total to four after also hitting a solo shot in the third inning. He is 4-for-11 lifetime versus Jurrjens.

"It's good to see Ryan get a couple homers," Black said. "He's feeling better about his offensive game right now."

San Diego won for just the second time in its last eight games and has plated five runs in both victories. However, it has scored just four runs combined in the six losses.

Jason Heyward hit a solo homer for the Braves, who had several base running mistakes in extra innings and saw their three-game winning streak end. They also fell to 4-4 on a 10-game road trip.

"When you get in extra innings anything can happen," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Atlanta will try to do some damage off Harang tonight with the heart of its order. Dan Uggla (9-for-19, .474) and Brian McCann (8-for-17, .471) have combined for four homers and 12 RBI off Harang, while Chipper Jones is 4- for-12 with two RBI against the veteran.

The Braves won four of six over the Padres a season ago, taking two of three at San Diego.