Hampton pitched three innings for Atlanta, allowing four hits and a run in the Braves' 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians today in a game that was called in the seventh inning because of rain.
Jake Westbrook wrapped up a perfect spring with four scoreless innings. The right-hander pitched 18 innings this spring without allowing a run, giving up just seven hits, walking six and striking out 20.
The numbers weren't as important to Hampton, who missed the last two seasons after two major elbow operations.
Hampton will make his first start on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Braves are counting on him to bolster a rotation that didn't have much depth a year ago beyond Tim Hudson and John Smoltz.
Two of the four hits off Hampton were infield singles. He gave up three straight hits in the second with two outs, including Casey Blake's run-scoring single.
The game was halted for 64 minutes because of heavy rain and lightning. When play resumed, the Indians scored three more runs in the sixth for a 4-0 lead, then allowed five runs to the Braves during a sloppy seventh with the rain coming down harder and harder.
After Atlanta went ahead on Brent Lillibridge's RBI single, Cleveland manager Eric Wedge came out to make a pitching change. Instead, the teams decided to call the game to prevent the risk of injury on the damp field.
Mike Hampton (photo from atlantabraves.com)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/3/208516