San Diego (59-61) at Atlanta (69-52), 7:35 pm EDT
ATLANTA (Ticker) - Mike Hampton looks to win consecutive starts
for the first time since late April when the Atlanta Braves host
the San Diego Padres on Friday in the opener of a three-game
series.
Friday's contest marks Hampton's third start since the end of
May. The veteran lefthander has spent two separate stints on
the disabled list this year with back and forearm injuries.
Hampton (5-2, 2.73 ERA) notched the win in his return from the
DL on Sunday against Arizona. He yielded three runs and nine
hits in five frames to improve to 4-1 in five starts at Turner
Field.
Atlanta dropped two of three in its home series with the Los
Angeles Dodgers. Milton Bradley blasted a three-run homer and
Jeff Kent added three hits as the Dodgers posted a 7-4 victory
in Thursday's rubber game.
Chan Ho Park (1-1, 7.71) makes his fourth start of the year for
the Padres. Acquired on July 29 in a deal with the Texas
Rangers, Park has struggled in his stint with San Diego,
yielding 15 runs - 12 earned - and 19 hits in 14 innings.
Despite losing five of their last six contests, the Padres still
hold a three-game lead over Arizona (57-65) in the National
League West Division.