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Bonds, Giants travel to Atlanta

Aug 14, 2007 - 2:08 PM San Francisco (50-68) at Atlanta (62-56) 7:35 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves host Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series.

Bonds went 1-for-3 in the opener of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, sitting out the nightcap.

The seven-time MVP will be taking his hacks against a pitcher he knows very well on Tuesday, the Braves' John Smoltz (10-6, 3.03 ERA). Bonds is 19-for-66 (.288) with eight homers and 14 RBI against Smoltz in his career.

The Giants have always been a tough matchup for Smoltz, who owns a 12-15 record with a 4.11 ERA in 46 games - 37 starts - against them in his career. The veteran ace allowed three runs - two earned - in 6 1/3 innings last Wednesday at the New York Mets but did not factor in the decision.

Atlanta's hitters will be dealing with righthander Scott Atchinson (0-0, 1.17). The 31-year-old will be making his first career start after 37 career relief appearances. Atchinson has allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings this season.

The Braves sit 3 1/2 games behind the Mets (65-52) in the National League East after dropping two of three to the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend.