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Hill, James to face off once again

Jun 7, 2007 - 3:39 PM Chicago Cubs (25-32) at Atlanta (33-27) 7:35 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Revenge is always nice to get as quickly as possible. For Rich Hill, he may not have to even wait a week.

The Chicago Cubs start a four-game set with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on Thursday.

Hill (4-4, 2.89 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA in three lifetime starts against the Braves, gets his second start against the Braves in less than a week. He yielded one earned run and four hits over seven frames on Saturday, but did not factor in the decision in 5-3 loss to Atlanta.

The lefthander did record a win against the Braves earlier on April 19 and is 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA in three career starts against Atlanta.

Chuck James (5-4, 3.78), who faced Hill on Saturday and also did not receive a decision, will take the mound for the Braves. He allowed two runs and six hits over six frames.

The lefthander is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two lifetime starts against the Cubs.

The status of Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who left Wednesday's game in the second inning with a strained left knee, leaves the star third baseman in question for Thursday's contest. He is day-to-day.

The game will also mark the return of manager Lou Piniella, back from his four-game suspension for making contact with an umpire during the same contest that Hill and James faced each other on Saturday. Bench coach Alan Trammell led Chicago to a 3-1 record in his absence.