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Road-weary Braves hope to end four-game skid vs. Cubs

Jun 11, 2008 - 1:36 PM Atlanta (32-33) at Chi Cubs (41-24), 8:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves will attempt to snap a four-game losing streak Wednesday when they meet the Chicago Cubs in the middle contest of a three-game series.

The Braves currently own the major league's worst road record at 7-22 and will try to end their road struggles against the Cubs, who hold a National League-best 27-8 home record.

Chicago, which has won nine straight at Wrigley Field, cruised to a 10-5 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday in the series opener. Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto both homered for the Cubs, who have won 16 of their last 18 at home.

The Braves, who entered this series coming off a three-game sweep to the rival Philadelphia Phillies, have not won since the last time rookie righthander Jair Jurrjens (6-3, 3.77 ERA) took the mound.

The 22-year-old Jurrjens allowed five runs and 11 hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six frames in Thursday's 7-5 triumph over the Florida Marlins.

He will be opposed by veteran righthander Ryan Dempster (7-2, 2.90), who has not lost at Wrigley Field this season.

Dempster, who received a no decision after yielding three runs over 5 1/3 innings during Thursday's 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, is 7-0 with a 3.10 ERA and 41 strikeouts in eight home starts on the campaign.