• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Hudson, Harang square off at Turner Field

May 30, 2011 - 2:29 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of veteran pitchers will go toe-to-toe today at Turner Field, where Tim Hudson will lead his Atlanta Braves against Aaron Harang and the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series.

Hudson hasn't won since a May 4 performance versus Milwaukee, going 0-2 with a 7.47 earned run average in three starts since. He previously took the hill in a 9-0 defeat against the Angels in Anaheim and allowed eight runs on seven hits and three walks in a season-low 3 2/3 innings.

The right-hander, who is 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts this season, will try to stay unbeaten in his career against San Diego. Hudson has faced the Padres nine times in his career -- making eight starts -- and is 5-0 with a 3.54 earned run average.

Atlanta won two of three matchups with Cincinnati over the weekend and is coming off Sunday night's 2-1 victory over the Reds. Martin Prado's two-run homer in the sixth inning was the difference and Jair Jurrjens pushed his record to 7-1 with eight innings of one-run ball. Craig Kimbrel notched his 15th save with a scoreless ninth.

"JJ gave us everything he had," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a good ballgame."

Prado also made a great throw from left field in the eighth inning to gun down Paul Janish at the plate and preserve the lead. Atlanta has won five of its last seven games, while Braves catcher Brian McCann got Sunday off after belting two homers in an extra-inning win over Cincinnati on Saturday. David Ross was behind the plate last night and went 1-for-3.

McCann is expected to be back in the lineup today and is batting .471 with two homers and five RBI against Harang. Harang has recorded three straight no- decisions since beating Arizona on May 8 and last pitched in Tuesday's 3-2 loss versus St. Louis. He gave up two runs -- one earned -- in seven innings.

The right-hander lost to Atlanta on April 26 in an 8-2 setback, as he allowed all eight runs in six innings. Harang is 1-3 with a 4.72 earned run average in eight career starts against the Braves.

San Diego won two of three matchups in Washington and won for the third time in four tries with Sunday's 5-4 triumph. Ryan Ludwick singled home Jorge Cantu with one out in the top of the ninth inning for the Padres, who got three hits out of Ludwick and two hits and two RBI from Brad Hawpe.

Dustin Moseley started for the Friars and did not record a decision after he gave up three runs -- two earned -- in five innings. Luke Gregerson earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless frames, and Heat Bell closed the door in the ninth for his 12th save.

"We had a tough stretch over the last 10 games," Padres manager Bud Black said on the club's site. "We have to play a better, complete game all around. Everyone's got to pick it up."

San Diego outfielder Cameron Maybin could be back in the starting lineup today and missed both weekend games to rest a sore right knee.

The Padres are 2-1 on a six-game road trip through Washington and Atlanta. The Braves won two of three meetings in San Diego from April 25-27 and have won six of the previous eight matchups between the two clubs.