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Marquis, Cubs look for fourth straight win, face Braves

Jun 9, 2007 - 1:27 PM Chicago Cubs (27-32) at Atlanta (33-27), 7:05 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs send Jason Marquis to the mound in search of their fourth straight victory when they face the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Chicago crushed Atlanta, 9-1, on Friday on the strength of three homers by Alfonso Soriano and an effective pitching performance by Sean Marshall. It was the second time in his career Soriano has homered thrice in a game, both vs. the Braves.

The Cubs, who have won five of six, look to Marquis to help them earn their second four-game winning streak of 2007. Chicago won six in a row from May 1-6.

However Marquis (5-2, 2.84 ERA), a former Brave, has struggled recently and has been downright horrible against Atlanta. The lefthander is 0-1 in his last five starts after starting the season with five straight victories.

Marquis, who pitched for the Braves from 2000-03, is 0-2 with a 14.40 ERA in three starts vs. them. Marquis allowed two runs - one earned - and seven his in 5 1/3 innings but received no decision in Chicago's 7-2 loss to Milwaukee on Monday.

Tim Hudson (6-4, 3.09) starts for the Braves, who have dropped a season-high four straight.

Hudson allowed six runs - five earned - and seven hits in six innings in the Braves' 6-4 loss to Florida on Monday. The righthander has also struggled recently, going 1-3 with a 6.66 ERA in his last four outings.

Center fielder Andruw Jones could have a good day against the Cubs as he is 7-for-10 with four home runs and a double lifetime against Marquis.