Oakland (24-20) ended a season-worst four-game losing streak on Saturday, beating the Braves 5-4. The Athletics had managed only four runs during their losing streak, which included a pair of shutouts during a three-game sweep in Cleveland.

The A's also had only three extra-base hits - all doubles - during the slide. On Saturday, however, they got a solo homer from Jack Cust and a three-run shot from Ryan Sweeney, both against former A's starter Tim Hudson, who had yielded only one home run coming in.

"I thought it might go foul," Sweeney said of his drive. "I wasn't trying to hit a home run in that situation, but it was good to put some runs on the board early. It's a big plus."

The A's still rank 28th in the majors with 24 home runs.

Oakland's outburst helped put an end to Atlanta's eight-game home winning streak. The Braves own the best home record in the NL at 15-5 - and the worst road record at 6-16.

Chipper Jones, who leads the majors in batting, went 0-for-4, dropping his average to .412. He had gone 11-for-19 (.574) in his last five games.

However, Mark Teixeira ended an 0-for-15 slump with a second-inning single, and Yunel Escobar snapped an 0-for-12 skid with an RBIs single in the fifth.

Now, the Braves (21-21) are hoping Jo-Jo Reyes (1-1, 4.30 ERA) can help them bounce back and win the series in his fourth start of the season.

Reyes gave up five runs and a career-high 11 hits in 6 2-3 innings of Tuesday's 5-4 loss in Philadelphia. But despite the outcome, manager Bobby Cox said Reyes looked as good as he ever has - and Reyes agreed.

"I think this was the best I've thrown up here," Reyes said. "My command was the key. I didn't walk anybody and I was locating my fastball."

Reyes is making his first career start against the A's and his first interleague outing.

Oakland counters with Justin Duchscherer (3-2, 2.20), who was a hard-luck loser his last time out. He allowed just one run in 6 2-3 innings but took a 4-0 loss in Cleveland on Tuesday in his fifth start overall, and fourth since a stint on the DL with a strained right biceps.

"He did a really good job," manager Bob Geren told Oakland's official team Web site. "Kept his pitch count down, got deep into the game. He did a great job."

Duchscherer is making his first interleague start, but is 2-1 with a 5.32 ERA in 18 relief appearances. He made two outings against the Braves in 2005, yielding three runs in three innings and going 0-1.