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(Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves' offense broke out in a big way in Saturday's matchup with the San Francisco Giants. Runs could be tougher to come by this afternoon, however, when the two teams continue their four-game series at Turner Field.

The Giants will send out ace Tim Lincecum in today's clash, although the All- Star hurler nearly had to miss the assignment after exiting his last start due to injury.

Lincecum was struck on the right knee by a line drive off the bat of Houston's Brad Ausmus during the fifth inning of Tuesday's 12-4 loss to the Astros. The hard-throwing right-hander had allowed two runs -- one earned -- and racked up seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings before exiting.

If he's fully recovered from the knee bruise, Lincecum figures to be quite a handful for Atlanta. The 24-year-old phenom leads the majors with 182 strikeouts this season, while his 2.67 earned run average trails only reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy for tops among pitchers in the Senior Circuit.

Lincecum has also won all three of his career starts against the Braves, including an August 6 triumph at AT&T Park in which he threw eight innings of two-run ball and fanned eight batters.

He'll be facing an Atlanta lineup that mustered just 11 runs during a five- game losing streak heading into Saturday's contest, but matched that total in last night's 11-5 victory over the Giants. Jeff Francoeur led the Braves' 16- hit onslaught by going 4-for-5 with two RBI.

Greg Norton added a two-run homer and Omar Infante also knocked in a pair of runs for Atlanta. Starting pitcher Mike Hampton helped his cause by contributing an RBI single during a four-run third inning.

Hampton (2-1) was solid on the mound as well, as the oft-injured veteran allowed two runs over the first six innings to gain the win.

Matt Palmer was hit hard in his major league debut for San Francisco, lasting just 2 1/3 innings and surrendering six runs on seven hits while walking four batters. The rookie was making an emergency start after Jonathan Sanchez was scratched with a strained left shoulder and subsequently placed on the disabled list.

Pablo Sandoval finished 3-for-5 for the Giants, who halted a four-game skid with a 5-1 victory over the Braves on Friday.

Charlie Morton draws the starting nod for Atlanta today and will be seeking an upgrade over his most recent mound trip. The rookie lasted just 2 1/3 innings in Wednesday's 10-2 home loss to the Cubs, giving up four runs and issuing four walks before being lifted.

Morton has lost four of his last five starts and has posted a troubling 6.11 ERA through his initial 11 major league outings. He's also 0-5 with a 9.00 ERA in six Turner Field starts this year.

This will be the 24-year's old first career matchup with San Francisco.

The Giants won two of three meetings with the Braves in San Francisco from August 4-6 and are 4-2 over their last six overall matchups with Atlanta. However, the club hasn't taken a series at Turner Field since the 1997 season.