=== Atlanta Braves Team Report - August 13 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Braves will try to avoid their first four-game skid of the year tonight, when they battle the San Diego Padres at Turner Field.

Atlanta hasn't lost four in a row since April 13-16 of last season. The Braves will pin their hopes on streaking lefthander Mike Hampton this evening.

Hampton has won six straight decisions over his last seven starts dating back to a loss to Florida on July 1. The hurler went the distance in a win over Milwaukee last week, surrendering just five hits and a run. He struck out four and walked one in the contest.

Hampton didn't get a decision in his only other 2003 start against the Padres, allowing eight hits and four runs over six innings. For his career, Hampton has tallied a 4-8 record with a 4.97 ERA versus San Diego.

Greg Maddux was pitching well coming into Tuesday's contest, but got roughed up in a 14-4 defeat. Maddux (11-9) suffered the loss after allowing five runs and 13 hits in five innings of work.

Chipper Jones finished 3-for-4 with a homer and two runs batted in for Atlanta, which lost its third straight game. This is the Braves' second three- game losing streak this season.

Earlier Tuesday, the Braves acquired left-handed reliever Kent Mercker from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a player to be named later. The 35-year- old Mercker played for the Braves from 1989-95.

Gary Sheffield is riding a 16-game hitting streak. He is 25-for-60 in that span with five homers and 16 RBI.

San Diego was swept by the Braves earlier in the season, getting outscored 39-15 in the process.

The Braves, who own the best record in the majors, are 40-18 at Turner Field this year.