Braves at Astros
In the 50th
anniversary of the franchise’s first game, the Houston Astros will wear their
old Colt .45s uniforms for their matchup with the reeling Atlanta Braves. Bob
Aspromonte, who scored the team’s first run in 1962, will throw out the
ceremonial first pitch. Houston, off to a surprising 3-1 start, dealt Atlanta
its fourth straight loss to open the season on Monday night.
Braves third baseman
Chipper Jones is expected to be activated from the disabled list before the
game, and right now the team needs all the offensive help it can get. Atlanta
has scored just 10 runs in losses to the New York Mets and now the Astros to
fall four games out of first place in the National League East. Jones, who
turns 40 this month, had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South
(Atlanta), Fox Sports (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tommy Hanson (0-1, 1.80 ERA)
vs. Astros RH Kyle Weiland (2011: 0-3, 7.66 ERA)
Hanson gave up only
one run in his first start this year but was bitten by Atlanta’s offensive
ineptitude in a 1-0 loss at New York. He’s been nearly unbeatable in three
career starts at Minute Maid Park, surrendering just one total run for a 0.41
ERA.
Weiland made seven
appearances — including five starts — as a rookie with the Boston Red Sox last
season. He struck out 13 and walked 12 in 24 2/3 innings, but the 25-year-old
went 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA in the spring to make a surprise appearance in the
starting rotation.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Dating back to
last season, Atlanta has now lost nine in a row.
2. The Braves are
hitting just .151 with a .238 on-base percentage.
3. Hanson is 3-0 with
a 0.97 ERA in five career starts against Houston.