Redding Goes For Career-Best 11th Win Of Season In Atlanta
(Sports Network) - Journeyman Tim Redding can establish a career-best in single-season wins tonight when the Washington Nationals take on the host Atlanta Braves in the third test of a four-game weekend series at Turner Field.Redding, a 30-year-old right-hander, was a 10-game winner with the Houston Astros in 2003, his initial season as a full-time starter in the major leagues. He won just five games in 2004 and one in 2005, then was out of the big leagues entirely in 2006 before re-emerging with the Nationals last season and winning three times in 15 starts. The Rochester, N.Y. native earned win No. 10 of 2008 in his last start on Sept. 1, allowing two hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies. In fact, he's unbeaten in his last three starts overall, allowing just 13 hits and seven runs in 17 2/3 innings. Redding, who lost a 7-6 decision at Atlanta on July 18, is 2-2 in six lifetime games against the Braves with a 5.88 earned run average in 26 innings. For Atlanta, veteran Mike Hampton continues an improbable comeback and seeks his 10th career win against the Nationals. The Florida-born southpaw, who'll turn 36 on Tuesday, was out of baseball due to injury for all of 2006 and 2007 before returning to the mound at Philadelphia on July 26. He's 2-2 in eight starts overall, allowing 53 hits and 29 runs in 46 innings. Hampton has made 17 career appearances - 14 starts - against Washington, going 9-3 with a pair of complete games while allowing 94 hits and 29 earned runs in 84 2/3 innings, a 3.08 ERA. On Friday, rookie Brandon Jones highlighted a seven-run third inning with a three-run double, carrying Atlanta to a 10-5 win. Kelly Johnson had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in two runs for the Braves, who have won the first two contests of this four-game series. It's the first time Atlanta has posted back-to-back wins since Aug. 7-9 at Arizona. Jair Jurrjens (12-9) allowed six hits and a run over five innings to snap a four-start winless skid. Jason Bergmann (2-11) was pounded for five hits and seven runs in 2 1/3 innings for the Nationals, who had won eight of nine coming into this series. Kory Casto had three hits and scored in a losing cause. Ryan Langerhans laced a two-run triple. Washington is 10-6 against Atlanta this season, with a 3-4 mark in Dixie.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.








