LA Angels (33-24) at Atlanta (30-27), 7:35 pm EDT
ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves try to overcome their
recent rash of injuries when they meet the Los Angeles Angels
of Anaheim on Tuesday.
Catcher Johnny Estrada will likely be unavailable after Darin
Erstad bowled him over at the plate in the eighth inning of the
Angels' 4-2 win in the series opener on Monday. He was taken to
a hospital for tests after the game.
Atlanta is already without third baseman Chipper Jones, who is
scheduled to undergo an MRI Tuesday on an injured left toe. He
was placed on the disabled list on Monday, joining pitchers Mike
Hampton and John Thomson.
Horacio Ramirez (3-4, 5.43 ERA) makes his first career start
against the Angels. He yielded three runs and eight hits in
seven innings against Washington last Thursday, but did not get
a decision.
Ramirez will duel Paul Byrd (5-4, 4.44), who went 8-7 with the
Braves last season. He yielded five runs and six hits in six
innings in a win over the Chicago White Sox last Wednesday.
Garret Anderson, who drove in three runs for the Angels on
Monday, is hitting .468 (13-for-28) in his last seven games.
The Angels are 18-13 on the road and in a virtual tie for first
place with Texas in the American League West.