The Atlanta Braves have not been swept by the San Diego Padres on the West Coast since May 16, 2005 but are on the verge of setting a new mark in this matchup with a loss today. The Braves had dropped 7 of 11 in the past three series in this matchup losing 5 of 6 batting .185 only scoring 2.2 Runs Per Game. The Braves however hope Paul Maholm will continue with another strong performance to prevent a San Diego sweep. Maholm 7=4 3.46 ERA overall for the season but 3-0 2.76 ERA in his past five outings. To be successful today Maholm will have to improve on his 1-3 6.82 ERA Road Record and 1-5 4.02 ERA in seven career starts vs. SDP. Freeman is 1 for 6 in this series while Justin Upton is .190 with only one RBI in 21 games since May 17th. Upton is 7 for 12 vs. Volquez however and will need to deliver today for the Braves offense. Volquez is 4-5 6.33 ERA and coming off maybe the worst outing of his career. Volquez allowed nine Runs and 11 Hits in 2 1/3 Innings Pitched last time out and 0-2 7.88 ERA in last three outings at Petco Park. Volquez is 1-3 4.56 ERA in last five starts vs. Atlanta. The Braves managed to split the previous series with LAD but a sweep today by San Diego would make the overall West Coast Road Trip a major disappointment as Atlanta moves on into the summer schedule. Maholm will have to be sharp and Atlanta will have to plate some runs this afternoon to prevent an eight year old record from becoming a new record for three consecutive losses in San Diego. Source: ESPN MLB Preview.
Justin Upton adds a HR for $12.000 Cancer Research but no ducks on the pond and Braves with another manufactured run but not enough with a 5-3 San Diego final as Atlanta cannot avoid a sweep and now have the San Fransico Giants up next back at Turner Field on Friday. Braves go 2-5 on the West Coast Road Trip.
