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Despaigne, Teheran square off at Turner Field

Jul 26, 2014 - 3:15 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Odrisamer Despaigne nearly tossed the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history on Sunday. When it was all said and done, though, not only did he lose his chance at the record books, but he also failed to record a decision.

The Cuban right-hander tries to continue the impressive start to his big league career on Saturday when the Padres continue a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Despaigne lost the no-hitter with two outs in the eighth inning and ended the contest giving up a run and two hits. The Padres eventully pulled out a 2-1 win, but Despaigne remained winless over his last three starts, despite surrendering just four runs over 20 2/3 innings in that span.

"Hopefully, I can get one next time," Despaigne said through an interpreter.

In each of his first five major league starts, Despaigne has pitched six or more innings and has allowed two or fewer runs. He is 2-1 with an impressive 1.31 ERA.

"He's never going to show you the same pitch," said Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal. "He's going to show you a different [arm] slot or different speed."

Atlanta will rely on an impressive hurler of its own in righty Julio Teheran, who is 9-6 with a 2.64 ERA. Teheran did not get a decision on Monday against Miami, but was terrific, as he allowed just a run and four hits, while striking out 11 batters in seven innings of his team's 3-1 loss.

"I felt that it was the best start I had this year," said Teheran. "I was getting ahead in counts on the hitters, and my slider, all my pitches [were] working. I felt the confidence to throw it and that's something that you feel good when you've got everything working."

Teheran has lost both of his starts to the Padres and has pitched to a 6.39 ERA in those outings.

San Diego got the better of the Braves in Friday's opener, as Chris Denorfia scored twice and drove in a run among his three hits to lead the Padres to a 5-2 victory.

Tommy Medica finished with a career-high four hits and an RBI single and Rene Rivera supplied two hits and drove in a run for the Padres, who have won three straight and five of their last six.

Jesse Hahn (6-2), recalled from Triple-A El Paso prior to the game, surrendered just one run on three hits with four strikeouts in six strong innings to earn the win, his sixth in his last seven starts.

"I felt good tonight," said Hahn. "I had great defense behind me and we hit the ball well."

Freddie Freeman had two of Atlanta's four hits and scored twice for the Braves, which have dropped four of their last five. Starter Alex Wood (7-8) was reached for 12 hits and five runs -- four earned -- across five frames.

"I've never seen so many groundballs get through the infield," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "That's the bottom line. He gave up (12 hits) and seven or eight of them were on the ground."

San Diego has beaten the Braves in eight of the last 10 matchups.