Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

Pirates, Braves play two at PNC Park

Mon 12th, May 2008

(Sports Network) - Jair Jurrjens seeks a fifth straight start without a loss today, when the Atlanta Braves enter PNC Park for the third and fourth games of a weather-interrupted series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sunday's scheduled game was postponed by rain, prompting today's series-ending doubleheader.

Jurrjens, an undrafted free agent from the Netherlands, was 3-1 in seven big- league starts with the Detroit Tigers in 2007 before heading to Atlanta. He lost two of his first three starts in the NL, but has since rebounded to go 3-0 with a no-decision in four outings since mid-April.

He began the streak with a 6-1 defeat of the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 20, and has since allowed just 11 hits and five runs in 19 innings against the New York Mets, Washington and San Diego.

The win against the Padres on May 6 featured six innings of seven-hit, one-run ball in which Jurrjens struck out eight batters and walked one. He defeated the Pirates on April 2, allowing seven hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 10-2 triumph.

Lefty Phil Dumatrait makes his third start of the season for Pittsburgh. He earned his first major-league victory in his most recent outing on May 7, allowing three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a 3-1 Pirates victory.

Previously, he had made 10 relief appearances and one start in 2008, and was winless in 17 overall big-league appearances. Dumatrait lost his lone career start against the Braves in 2007 while with the Cincinnati Reds, allowing seven hits and eight runs in just two innings.

Veteran righty Tim Hudson gets the call for the Braves in game two and seeks a third straight victory. He has been durable and effective in his last two outings, allowing nine hits and two runs in 16 innings in defeats against San Diego and Cincinnati.

In those games, Hudson, a 32-year-old Georgia native, has walked three and struck out 13 batters. Hudson is 3-3 in seven lifetime starts against Pittsburgh with a 3.23 ERA in 47 1/3 innings.

Former first-round draft pick John Van Benschoten seeks his first win since 2004 for the Pirates in the second game.

The eighth overall pick in 2001 has made three relief appearances so far in 2008, allowing four hits and two runs in 3 2/3 innings.

He was 0-7 in 11 appearances -- nine starts -- with the Pirates last season, and hasn't won since going 1-3 in six appearances for the team in 2004. Overall, he has given up 92 hits and 68 earned runs in 71 1/3 innings.

Atlanta has lost the first two matchups of this series. In Saturday's 5-2 setback, Mark Teixeira belted a two-run homer to highlight his 2-for-3 effort at the plate, while Omar Infante tallied three hits for the Braves, who have dropped two straight following a six-game winning streak.

Chuck James (2-2) was called up from Triple-A Richmond to start for Atlanta, but the left-hander was rudely welcomed back to the big leagues, surrendering five runs on five hits and four walks in his six innings of work.

Jason Bay homered, scored two runs and knocked in a pair of runs, while Ronny Paulino had three RBI for the Pirates, who have won a season-high five straight contests.

Starter Tom Gorzelanny (3-3) was solid in 7 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits and two runs while striking out four. Matt Capps pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save for the victors.

Where the players come to play and STAY.

Sports Information you need to win BIG.

Sports Contests – Think you know the game?

Poker Promotion

Find NC State basketball tickets at TickCo and watch the college basketball season wrap up with Final Four tickets!

Contact Us | Help | Site Map| Sport Links

Sportsbook Directory | Casinos Directory | Poker Room Directory | Racebook Directory | Partners Directory