PHOENIX -- Back in first place in the National League
East Division, the Atlanta Braves continue a 10-game road trip
Friday, when they open a three-game series with the Arizona
Diamondbacks.
After splitting a four-game series with the New York Mets, the
Braves went to the West Coast and took two of three from the San
Francisco Giants. Rookie Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer
Wednesday as Atlanta posted a 4-1 victory in the rubber game of
the series.
That win, combined with the Washington Nationals' loss Thursday,
moved the Braves into a first-place tie in the NL East. Atlanta
has won a record 13 straight division titles, including every
East crown since 1995.
Tim Hudson (7-5, 3.53 ERA) will make his second start since
coming of the disabled list for the Braves. Hudson, who had
missed over a month with a strained left oblique, yielded just
five hits in six innings of Saturday's 3-0 victory over the
Mets.
Arizona will counter with Claudio Vargas (3-2, 5.50), who has
done an admirable job filling in for the injured Russ Ortiz in
the Diamondbacks' rotation. Vargas lost for the first time in
five starts Saturday, allowing three runs and three hits - two
homers - in six innings of a 3-1 setback to San Diego.
The Diamondbacks lost for the fourth time in six games
Wednesday, dropping a 9-2 decision to Florida. Royce Clayton
had three singles for Arizona, which recorded 13 hits but
stranded 12 runners.
Arizona made move to bolster its bullpen Thursday, acquiring
veteran righthander Tim Worrell from the Philadelphia Phillies
for infielder Matt Kata. Worrell could be inserted into the
closer's role with Brandon Lyon on the disabled list and Brian
Bruney struggling with a 1-2 mark, 10 saves and a 5.35 ERA in 37
appearances.