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SF@ATL: Hudson throws 7 1/3 frames of two-run ball

Anytime Tim Hudson is creating a plethora of ground balls, you know he's at his best.

That was the case in his previous outing against the Giants, in which the Braves right-hander dazzled with his sinker. Hudson allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings on Thursday to get the win and improve to 8-4 on the season with a 3.70 ERA.

"He's been fighting his sinker being more side to side than normal. He got his depth back today," catcher David Ross said after the game. "That's when you know he's good."

Hudson will try to do that again on Tuesday night as the Braves face the Marlins in Miami.

Meanwhile, Mark Buehrle is hoping to bounce back after his four-start win streak was snapped on Thursday against the Cubs. He managed to go just five innings, allowing four runs on six hits for the loss.

It marked his shortest outing since working five innings on June 12 at Boston. Before that, Buehrle had given up three earned runs in 28 2/3 innings.

"It was just one of those games where you're not going to have your stuff," Buehrle said after the outing. "I have to turn the page and get ready for my next start."

The left-hander is 4-1 with a 1.87 ERA in his last five starts, with 30 strikeouts and just six walks. He's also held opponents to just eight extra-base hits during that stretch.

Braves: Deal for Dempster pending his approval
• The Braves reached an agreement in principle to acquire Ryan Dempster from the Cubs on Monday, however the trade has not been formally completed. Atlanta must wait for the veteran pitcher's approval.

It's the right the hurler has earned because he has played in the Majors for at least 10 years and been with the same team for at least five years.

A source confirmed that the deal would send highly regarded rookie right-hander Randall Delgado to the Cubs.

"I know what you guys know, basically the same thing, maybe a little bit more -- I'm not going to lie to you about that," said Braves manger Fredi Gonzalez on Monday. "But that's all I know right now. We're in a holding pattern."

Marlins: Trade with the Tigers becomes official
• Miami agreed to trade second baseman Omar Infante and starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez to the Tigers for a package of players that includes right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner.

An official announcement was made just before the team opened the three-game series against the Braves, with catcher Rob Brantly and left-hander Brian Flynn included in the deal. The teams also swapped their competitive balance picks in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

• Hanley Ramirez took early batting practice at Marlins Park on Monday afternoon, and manager Ozzie Guillen expects the third baseman to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Ramirez, who has missed the last three games due to swelling in his right hand, took swings for about 10 minutes and also fielded grounders at third during pregame warmups.

"The best I've seen him swing in a little while," Guillen said. "I think he has a little better idea about his swing, and I think he's happy with what he sees. So far, things have gone [Monday] the way we thought. He's playing [Tuesday]."

Worth noting
• The Braves have gone 12-6 in their last 18 road contests, including winning five of their last eight games.

• In 46 career games against the Braves, Carlos Lee has posted a .318 average (55-for-173), which is the fifth-highest career average against Atlanta by an active player.

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