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Reds, Braves clash at Turner Field

May 27, 2011 - 3:18 PM (Sports Network) - The third-place team in the National League's East Division hosts its third-place counterpart in the NL Central when the Atlanta Braves entertain the Cincinnati Reds tonight in the opener of a three-game weekend set at Turner Field.

The Braves pushed their win streak to a modest two games on Wednesday when Brooks Conrad delivered a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 11th inning to beat Pittsburgh, 4-2, in the finale of a two-game set from PNC Park.

Eric Hinske added a solo shot and Chipper Jones also knocked in a run for the Braves, who have won three of four overall.

George Sherrill (1-0) turned in a scoreless 10th and Craig Kimbrel followed suit in the 11th to record his 14th save.

Recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to the contest, Mike Minor got the start and allowed one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks over 5 2/3 innings.

Atlanta is 3 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

Right-hander Tommy Hanson gets the start tonight to open the series against the Reds in search of a fifth straight win.

The 24-year-old was 1-3 on the season after a 3-2 loss to the New York Mets on April 17, but has since won four decisions in his last six starts, including a 3-2 defeat of the Houston Astros on May 16.

His earned run average during the streak has dropped from 3.86 to 2.72 and the Braves are 5-1 in the six starts.

Atlanta is 6-4 in his 10 overall starts while Hanson is 1-1 in three career meetings with the Reds.

With the Reds having sent starter Edinson Volquez down to Triple-A Louisville earlier in the week, they are expected to recall Mike Leake from the minors to make the start Friday.

Leake is set to make his first start in the majors since May 3, when he was drilled for seven runs in a career low-tying 3 2/3 innings of a loss to the Astros. He made three relief appearances after that, giving up a run over two innings with an 0-1 mark in that span before his demotion on May 14.

The 23-year-old righty is 3-2 with a 5.70 earned run average in nine games (six starts) this season and faces the Braves for the second time in his career. He did not factor into the decision of his first appearance against them, allowing three runs -- one earned -- over six innings of work.

On Thursday, Raul Ibanez hit a three-run homer and starter Cliff Lee added three RBI as Philadelphia downed Cincinnati, 10-4, in the finale of a four- game series.

Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer and Paul Janish posted a two-run single for the Reds, who have lost eight of their last nine.

Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey departed after four innings with a right shoulder spasm, as he was charged with five hits and four runs. Daryl Thompson (0-1) took the loss and was torched for six hits and five runs with five walks over three frames.

The Reds are four games behind first-place St. Louis in the Central.

The Braves won three of five matchups versus the Reds last year, winning both meetings in Atlanta.