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Hampton staying healthy, but struggling for Braves

Aug 16, 2008 - 10:10 AM San Francisco (51-70) at Atlanta (55-67) 7:00 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Mike Hampton has managed to stay healthy since returning to the Atlanta Braves' rotation. However, his results have been anything but positive.

Hampton tries to put together a solid start on Saturday when the Braves continue a series against the San Francisco Giants.

The 35-year-old lefthander Hampton (1-1, 8.10 ERA) missed nearly the first four months of the season while recovering from offseason elbow surgery as well as a number of other injuries suffered while rehabbing.

Since returning, Hampton has hardly provided a boost to a depleted Atlanta rotation, which is without John Smoltz and Tim Hudson due to season-ending surgeries while Tom Glavine returned to the disabled list on Friday with a strained left elbow one day after making his first start since June 10.

Hampton was pounded for six runs and five hits in only four innings, walking two while striking out three en route to a 6-1 loss on Sunday to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have one of the worst offenses in the National League. It was the second time in four starts that Hampton allowed six runs in four innings.

Jonathan Sanchez (8-9, 4.53) tries to earn his first win since June 29 when he counters for the Giants. Sanchez has lost each of his last four starts and five of his last six outings after winning back-to-back starts to close out June.