Blue Jays at Braves
Right fielder Jason Heyward appears to be turning around his disappointing season, and that’s more good news for an Atlanta team that’s won five straight. Heyward's aggressive baserunning gave Atlanta a 4-3, 10-inning win in the series opener Friday. Over the last two games, he’s 4-for-9 with two homers, a double and three RBIs.
The Braves on Saturday go for their eighth straight win over Toronto, and 13th in their last 16 interleague games. This is the second game of Atlanta's nine-game homestand. Both pitching staffs issued seven walks in Friday’s game. Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla drew four of them, including one with the bases loaded.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, PTV, FSS, SN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Drew Hutchison (5-2, 4.35 ERA) vs. Braves RH Tommy Hanson (6-4, 3.71)
Hutchison has produced four quality starts in his last five outings, and has dominated the last two times out. In wins over Boston and Baltimore, he allowed one earned run on eight hits over 14 innings. Opponents are hitting .256 against him.
Hanson has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, including a strong seven-inning performance last time out in a 3-2 win over Washington. The Braves have won six of his last nine starts. However, he’s allowed nine homers this season and batters are hitting .264 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta is 9-4 in one-run games, best in the NL.
2. Braves 3B Chipper Jones (bruised calf) had one hit and two walks Friday on the first day of a rehab assignment with Class-A Rome. The assignment is expected to last three days.
3. Toronto slugger Jose Bautista hit his 16th homer Friday, but is batting just .229.