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Braves' Hampton resumes comeback attempt against Cardinals

Thu 31st, July 2008

(Sports Network) - The theme of comeback pitching stars continues tonight at Turner Field, when Mike Hampton makes his second post-injury start for the Atlanta Braves in the finale of a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Chris Carpenter got the back-to-the-mound momentum going Wednesday night, when the St. Louis hurler pitched for the first time since 2007's Opening Day. He allowed one run on 67 pitches over four innings of work in last night's 7-2 victory over the Braves.

Hampton was off from 2005 until July 26, when he returned to throw four innings against Philadelphia and allow eight hits and six runs while getting a no-decision in Atlanta's 10-9 loss.

He'd last been a full-time starter in 2004, when he pitched in 29 games and won 13 times for the Braves. His 2005 season was cut short after 12 starts and five victories.

The 35-year-old left-hander is 10-8 in 26 lifetime appearances (21 starts) against the Cardinals with a 3.59 earned run average in 145 1/3 innings.

For the Cardinals, right-hander Joel Pineiro tries to make it six starts without a loss when he toes the rubber tonight.

The 29-year-old product of Edison Community College in Florida last lost on June 27 at Kansas City after surrendering 10 hits and seven runs in 7 2/3 innings.

He's 1-0 with four no-decisions since, although the Cardinals are 4-1 in those games, and allowed 46 hits and 18 runs in 27 innings.

Pineiro has faced the Braves three times in his career, starting once, and has given up 13 hits and seven runs in seven innings.

On Wednesday, Joe Mather hit a two-run home run as the Cardinals won for a third straight night over the free-falling Braves.

Brad Thompson (4-2) allowed a run in 2 2/3 frames for the win, while Ron Villone recorded the final four outs for his first save since 2005.

Adam Kennedy went 2-for-5, knocked in a run and scored twice for the Cardinals, who have won three straight and four of five overall. Albert Pujols added an RBI double, while Ryan Ludwick and Troy Glaus knocked in a run apiece.

Omar Infante went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Braves, losers of five straight. Casey Kotchman went 0-for-5 in his Atlanta debut after being acquired Tuesday in the trade that sent Mark Teixeira to the Angels.

Jair Jurrjens (10-6) allowed three runs on seven hits in seven frames to take the loss.

St. Louis won four of its seven matchups with the Braves last season.

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