vs.
Colorado (9-14)
Featuring
John Smoltz
The veteran right-hander will take the mound for the first time since signing a contract extension that will keep him in a Braves uniform through 2010. In five starts this season, he has averaged 6.1 innings per start and allowed 34 hits in 31 2/3 innings. He is 10-4 with nine saves and a 3.47 lifetime ERA against Colorado in 30 games, 16 starts and 124 1/3 innings.
vs.
Jason Hirsh
The 6-8 rookie right-hander has been a pleasant surprise in April, winning twice and delivering three quality starts in four outings. Both of Hirsh's wins have come in starts against future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, and he'll get a shot at another likely Hall of Famer in Smoltz. Hirsh leads National League rookie pitchers in innings and strikeouts.
at
Lineups
Braves:
Kelly Johnson, 2B
AVG .320 HR 5 RBI 14 R 22 SB 2
Edgar Renteria, SS
AVG .344 HR 3 RBI 15 R 16 SB 1
Larry Wayne Jones, 3B
AVG .322 HR 7 RBI 14 R 19 SB 0
Andruw Jones, CF
AVG .231 HR 4 RBI 15 R 14 SB 0
Brian McCann, C
AVG .311 HR 2 RBI 13 R 7 SB 0
Jeff Francoeur, RF
AVG .294 HR 4 RBI 24 R 12 SB 0
Scott Thorman, 1B
AVG .250 HR 2 RBI 7 R 5 SB 0
Ryan Langerhans, LF
AVG .053 HR 0 RBI 0 R 1 SB 0
John Smoltz, P
W-L 2-1 ERA 4.26 K 22 Walks 12 WHIP 1.45
Rockies:
Willy Taveras, CF
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Garrett Atkins, 3B
Todd Helton, 1B
Matt Holliday, LF
Yorvit Torrealba, C
Jeff Baker, RF
Jamey Carroll, 2B
Jeff Francis, P
Player to watch
Shortstop Edgar Renteria has carried that clutch-hitter label ever since delivering an RBI single that won Game 7 of the 1997 World Series for the Florida Marlins. Ten years later, he is simply hitting everything in sight. With a four-hit, two-RBI game on Friday, he extended his hitting streak to seven games, during which he is 14-for-33 (.424). At Coors Field, he is a .350 career hitter (48-for-137), and has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games at .472 (25 for 53).
National League East Standings (as of 4/24/07)
_____14-8
_____13-8
_____10-12
_____10-12
_____8-15
