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Hanson takes ball for Braves in second test at Seattle

Jun 28, 2011 - 2:48 PM (Sports Network) - Since breaking into the majors in 2009, Braves starter Tommy Hanson has been labeled as one of the game's top young pitchers.

Fifteen starts into his career and the Mariners' Michael Pineda has already joined him.

Two of the games most exciting young hurlers square off this evening when Hanson returns from the disabled list to lead Atlanta against Pineda-led Seattle in the second contest of a three-game series at Safeco Field.

Hanson has put together consecutive double-digit win seasons to begin his career and holds a career earned run average of 3.02. He appears to be taking the next step this season, going 8-4 in 14 starts with a 2.48 ERA that ranks third in the National League.

The 24-year-old hasn't pitched since June 12 due to right shoulder tendinitis, but was excellent before landing on the disabled list. He beat the Astros on that day, throwing seven innings of one-run ball to win his third straight start as well as his seven of his past eight decisions. Hanson, who has allowed just three runs over his past 19 innings, worked around three hits and two walks while striking out a career-high 14 batters.

There was some cause for concern when the right-hander hit the DL, but manager Fredi Gonzalez downplayed the injury.

"His [ailment] wasn't anything we were worried about, really," Gonzalez told Atlanta's website. "The doctors said to just let it calm down and he'd be fine."

Hanson faces the Mariners for the first time and will square off against early AL Rookie of the Year candidate Pineda, who is 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA over his first 15 major league starts, with 12 of those quality outings.

The 22-year-old righty is coming off a no-decision versus the Nationals on Thursday as he gave up just four hits with nine strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in his team's 1-0 loss. Pineda had beaten the Phillies in his previous outing, allowing a run on two hits and three walks over six innings to snap a two-game slide.

Pineda will face the Braves for the first time and they have to be happy that the undrafted Dominican is in the American League. Pineda is 2-0 in his three starts versus the NL, allowing just one run over 20 innings.

Run support could be at a premium for the 6-foot-7 hurler tonight as the Mariners were held to a pair of runs or less for the fifth time in seven games in last night's 3-1 loss. Adam Kennedy homered to plate Seattle's lone run.

"It's frustrating that we don't get the hits, but it's a team game," Mike Carp said. "We got a really good team, great pitching staff. We know how to hit, we know how to play, it's just a matter of when and where."

Erik Bedard gave up just four hits over seven innings, but two of those were home runs. The lefty yielded a solo homer to Brian McCann in the first inning before yielding Freddie Freeman's go-ahead two-run shot in the seventh inning.

"You don't think about lefty, right, you just try and go up there and hit the ball up the middle," Freeman said of his homer off the southpaw.

McCann ended with three hits and has five homers in his past eight games. Brian Beachy took the win after throwing six solid frames as the Braves captured their sixth victory in eight games to pull within 4 1/2 games of the first-place Phillies in the NL East.

The Mariners, losers of five of seven, fell two games behind the Rangers for the top spot in the AL West.

The Mariners and Braves came into this series having split six all-time meetings, with Seattle taking two of three at home back in 2003. Atlanta returned the favor on its home field in 2008.