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LAD@ATL: Hanson fans five in first start after injury

When Tommy Hanson pitches in San Diego, there's not much to complain about. Sure, he is playing in front of family and friends in his native Southern California, but more important are his career numbers.

In five starts at San Diego, Hanson is 4-0 with a 2.01 ERA and 31 strikeouts. The right-hander looks to build on those stellar numbers on Wednesday, when he takes the mound for the rubber match against the Padres.

The Braves have lost just one game Hanson has started since July 2 -- he spent a little more than two weeks on the disabled list during that span -- but is coming off his worst start in a while, when he gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings on Aug. 23 against the Giants.

"I don't feel like I went out there and got lit up," Hanson said after that game. "I don't feel like I went out there and they were hitting lasers all over the place. That was just a tough one. I don't really know what to say."

Eric Stults, on the other hand, is coming off an excellent outing, continuing a strong streak since he rejoined the rotation on Aug. 6. The Padres starter is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last four starts.

"In Eric's case, it's about command of the ball," manager Bud Black said. "When he's on, he's hitting spots. He changes speeds, but you've got to have location, and that's what we've seen him do. We saw it in Atlanta, in his last start, Arizona -- when he intends to throw the ball down, he's gotta throw the ball down. When he intends to elevate it, he's got to elevate it. And he's doing those things. With Stultsy, it's not so much the life on his pitches, it's about his command. His stuff is pretty consistent from start to start."

Braves: Trying to finish road trip on a strong note
• The Braves started the current 10-game road trip 1-4, but have turned around their woes and a win on Wednesday would bring their record on the swing to .500 as they head back home.

• Kris Medlen threw eight innings of shutout ball on Tuesday, and now is 5-0 with a 0.66 ERA in six starts since joining the rotation.

Padres: Winning streak snapped
• The Padres had their season-high eight-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday. They are just one of four teams to have three winning streaks of at least six games this season.

• Chase Headley is hitting .306 (30-for-98) with 28 RBIs and 10 home runs this month. Additionally, he has six hits in his last five games.

Worth noting
• Hanson has struggled with the current Padres roster. San Diego players are hitting .283 (17-for-60) with three home runs and nine walks against him.

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