Football
19y

Chicago Cubs (40-42) at Atlanta (47-37) 1:05 pm EDT

Chicago Cubs (40-42) at Atlanta (47-37), 1:05 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Mark Prior makes his third start since
returning from a broken elbow when he and the reeling Chicago
Cubs carry a six-game losing streak into the opener of a
doubleheader with the Atlanta Braves.

The day-night doubleheader was caused by a rainout on Wednesday
that forced the final two games of the set to be played
Thursday.

Prior (5-2, 2.86 ERA) made a triumphant return from his injury
with six scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox on June
26 but was less impressive Friday.

He gave up three runs in five innings in a 4-3 setback to the
Washington Nationals to pick up his first loss since May 1.

The 6-5 righthander has extra pressure on him due to the Cubs'
recent offensive struggles. They were limited to eight hits in
a 5-1 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday and have scored just 16 runs
during the six-game slide.

Atlanta counters with Horacio Ramirez (7-5, 5.09), who had a
four-game winning streak snapped Saturday at Philadelphia when
he was reached for six runs in 4 2/3 innings in a 6-3 defeat.

The lefthander hopes to get back on track when he returns to the
comforts of Turner Field. Ramirez is 4-1 with a 4.24 ERA at
home and has allowed just five homers in 40 1/3 innings here.

The Braves won the first two games of the four-game series,
outscoring the Cubs, 9-1. In Tuesday's setback, Chicago first
baseman Derrek Lee - who is scheduled to start for the National
League in Tuesday's All-Star Game - suffered an inflamed left
shoulder and is questionable for Thursday's contests.

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