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Johnson tries to remain unbeaten vs. Braves

Aug 27, 2008 - 10:52 AM FLORIDA (67-65) at ATLANTA (58-74), 7:10pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Both Josh Johnson and Mike Hampton began the 2008 season on the shelf, recovering from elbow surgeries.

The pitchers returned to their respective rotations in July - Johnson to the Florida Marlins; Hampton to the Atlanta Braves. The two will face each other on Wednesday.

So far, the comebacks have had contrasting results. Hampton (2-1, 6.47 ERA), who had "Tommy John" surgery on his left elbow in 2005 and a follow-up surgery on the same elbow two years later, has struggled to regain his form. He has managed to strike out 12 batters in 32 innings, and twice failed to get past the fourth inning.

Johnson (3-0, 3.51), the Marlins' highly touted fourth-round pick in 2002, has enjoyed a mild resurgence after a miserable 2007. He dealt with elbow problems throughout last season, going 0-3 with a 7.47 ERA in four starts before undergoing "Tommy John" surgery last August.

This season, however, has been exactly the opposite. He is unbeaten in eight starts, and six have been of the quality variety - and he's had to face some tough competition, too. He has pitched against contenders in all but one start, leading the Marlins to wins over the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies twice each, as well as the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He will face an Atlanta squad that is in the middle of an August swoon - in what was already a disappointing season. They have lost 12 of their last 15 and are on pace to net their most losses since 1990.

The Braves' most recent win was one of their most improbable. In the series opener, they scored four runs in the ninth off closer Kevin Gregg to steal a 10-9 victory.