Braves Look For 2nd Straight Win Against Dodgers


Although the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers boast two of the NL's top offenses, runs could be at a premium Wednesday. Atlanta's Brandon Beachy and Los Angeles' Ted Lilly are each off to impressive starts, and they'll square off in the series finale at what could be a rainy Dodger Stadium. Beachy has the majors' best ERA and has allowed four hits or fewer in each of his first three outings. The right-hander gave up four hits and a walk while striking out five in 7 1/3 scoreless innings of a 9-1 victory Friday at Arizona. In Tuesday's 4-3 win over the West-leading Dodgers, Chipper Jones homered on his 40th birthday and Martin Prado had two RBIs -- including the go-ahead run-scoring triple in the ninth inning. Prado's hit lifted Atlanta to its 10th victory in 13 games and sent Los Angeles to its first loss at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, who averaged 5.1 runs in their first seven games at Chavez Ravine, possess one of the league's most dangerous lineups with Matt Kemp batting third followed by Andre Ethier. Kemp, who has hit safely in all but two games, leads the majors with a .455 batting average and nine homers and is tied with Ethier for the major league lead with 22 RBIs. Lilly has enjoyed similar success shutting down the Braves, going 5-0 with a 2.52 ERA in seven starts against them since suffering a loss while pitching for Oakland in 2003. He has limited Jones to three hits in 13 career at-bats, while six-time All-Star catcher Brian McCann has three singles in 12.