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Braves' Hanson gets nod against Rockies

Sep 4, 2012 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves are hoping that Tommy Hanson can shake off his recent woes on the mound as he gets the call on Tuesday night in the second contest of a four-game set versus the Colorado Rockies.

Hanson has gone 0-2 with a 5.74 earned run average in three starts since returning from a stint on the disabled list caused by a lower back strain. He dropped his second straight outing on Wednesday at the San Diego Padres, yielding four runs -- three earned -- over 4 2/3 innings on eight hits and two walks.

The right-hander is seeking his first victory since July 30 and is 12-7 with a 4.45 earned run average in 25 starts this season.

Despite a 5.50 ERA in three previous meetings, the 26-year-old Hanson is 2-0 against the Rockies.

Atlanta earned its second straight win by taking Monday's opener 6-1 behind yet another gem from Kris Medlen, who improved to 6-0 in his seven starts since joining the rotation on July 31 with his second career complete game.

Medlen scattered five hits and fanned a career-high 12 batters, running his scoreless-innings streak to 32 2/3 frames before getting charged with an unearned run in the seventh on Paul Janish's throwing error.

"Before two weeks ago, I had never had (a complete game) in my entire life," Medlen said. "It's awesome, a great feeling."

David Ross highlighted a four-run third inning with a double that plated two runs as the wild card-leading Braves remained 6 1/2 games back of the Washington Nationals for first place in the NL East thanks to just their sixth victory in 16 games.

Tyler Chatwood gave up three hits but walked five and was charged with six runs -- five earned -- in three innings.

"I just really didn't have good fastball command at all today," noted Chatwood.

The Rockies lost for the fifth straight time to the Braves, a skid that includes getting swept in three games at home from May 4-6, and have lost 10 of the previous 12 encounters overall.

Drew Pomeranz will try to get the Rockies a rare victory in this series tonight with his first win since July 6. The 23-year-old lefty is 0-5 with a 7.04 ERA in nine starts since and saw his last outing undone by a rough third inning.

Pomeranz sat down the Los Angeles Dodgers in order in the first two innings on Wednesday, but gave up six runs -- five earned -- in the third frame. He lasted one more inning before taking a 10-8 loss, falling to 1-8 with a 5.13 ERA in 16 outings this season.

The former 2010 first-round pick will face the Braves for the first time.

It is unknown if Pomeranz will face Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla, who did not start Monday's opener after being told by manager Fredi Gonzalez he was being removed as the everyday starter.

Martin Prado got the start in place of Uggla, who signed a five-year, $62 million deal prior to the 2011 season but is hitting just .208 this year with 17 homers and 64 RBI.