Former Boston right-hander Kyle Weiland makes his first start in a Houston uniform tonight when the Astros host the Atlanta Braves in the second of three games between the teams at Minute Maid Park.
The 25-year-old New Mexico native was a third-round pick of the Red Sox in 2008 and debuted with Boston last season, going 0-3 in seven appearances - five starts - with a 7.66 earned run average in 24 2/3 innings. He was acquired this offseason as part of the deal that sent Mark Melancon to Boston.
The Astros, who won only 56 games last season, improved to 3-1 in 2012 in Monday's season opener when Marwin Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and Houston rallied from an early hole to top Atlanta, 8-3, and keep the Braves winless.
J.A. Happ (1-0), who retired 11 batters in a row at one point, tossed six solid innings of three-run ball for the Astros, who have won three straight since dropping their season-opener to Colorado.
Justin Maxwell, claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Sunday, smacked a two- run home run in his first Astros at-bat.
Brandon Beachy (0-1) allowed four runs - one earned - on four hits and three walks in five innings for Atlanta, which is 0-4 for the first time since 1988.
The Braves counter tonight with fourth-year righty Tommy Hanson, who seeks his first win in 2012 in his second start. The 25-year-old dropped a 1-0 decision at New York on April 5 after allowing four hits and a run in five innings, striking out four and walking three.
Hanson was an 11-game winner in 22 starts last season with the Braves while posting a 3.60 ERA across 130 innings.
He's 3-0 in five career starts against Houston with a stingy 0.97 ERA in 37 innings while giving up 17 hits and four earned runs.
Hanson will likely have a familiar face at third base this evening, as the Braves activated Chipper Jones from the disabled list. Jones had been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery in March to repair a torn meniscus.
Heading into his 19th and what he has already said will be his finale major league season, Jones has battled some injury issues the past few years. When in the lineup, however, he has still been productive as his 18 homers, 70 runs batted in and .275 batting average from 2011 illustrate.
The Braves are 10-3 versus the Astros since the start of the 2010 season, with all three losses coming in Houston.
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