July 7 - The Atlanta Braves will send nine-year veteran Reynaldo Lopez to the mound on Sunday to face Philadelphia Phillies rookie Michael Mercado in the rubber game of the three-game series between the top teams in the National League East.
The teams have split the first two games, with the Phillies winning 8-6 on Friday and the Braves prevailing 5-1 on Saturday. Atlanta leads the season series 3-2, but Philadelphia holds a nine-game lead in the division.
Mercado (1-0, 1.50) will be making the third appearance, and the second start, of his major league career. He picked up his first win on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs when he pitched five innings and allowed one run on two hits and two walks.