Hudson (7-5, 3.17 ERA) has not beaten an AL team since joining Atlanta in a trade with Oakland prior to the 2005 season, going 0-10 with a 7.82 ERA in 12 outings. He is also coming off his worst start of the season, allowing six runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings as Atlanta (37-39) lost 7-5 to Texas on Tuesday.

The veteran-right hander, though, has not faced Seattle (26-48) during his losing stretch versus the AL. He is 12-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 23 career starts versus the Mariners.

Hudson will be trying to help Atlanta win the decisive game of this series, and become the latest team to beat Silva (3-8, 5.79 ERA). Silva is 0-8 with an 8.49 ERA in his last nine starts, and seven of those losses have come to AL teams.

Silva (3-8, 5.79 ERA) gave up three runs and five hits before being ejected after 4 2-3 innings as Seattle lost 6-1 to Florida on Monday.

Florida's Jeremy Hermida grounded into a possible inning-ending double play, but he was called safe at first and drew an animated reaction from Silva that led to his departure.

The right-hander is 6-5 with a 3.72 ERA in 14 starts and 13 relief appearances in interleague play. He is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in one start and 16 relief appearances versus Atlanta.

Silva will be facing a Braves team that will not have third baseman third baseman Chipper Jones (strained right quadriceps) in its starting lineup. Jones, the majors leading hitter with a .393 average, was limited to pinch-hitting duty in a 5-4 win over Seattle on Saturday night and said he expects to miss at least two games.

Ruben Gotay started at third base for Jones, and hit a solo home run in the eighth. Despite missing Jones, Atlanta avoided a three-game losing streak.

"Hopefully it will get us started," Braves catcher Brian McCann said.

The Mariners, meanwhile, have their own injury issues at third base. Adrian Beltre was a late scratch because of a bruised left index finger, and the team has not provided any information on how the injury occurred or the extent of its severity. He is batting .240 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs.

Miguel Cairo replaced Beltre in the lineup Saturday and went 0-for-4.

Seattle is also hurting in the bullpen, and it showed Saturday.

All-Star closer J.J. Putz is on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended pitching elbow and backup closer Brandon Morrow is in Seattle recovering from back spasms, so the Mariners turned to Miguel Batista to protect a 4-3 lead in the ninth. But he blew the save by walking two batters, hitting one and allowing two hits - including McCann's game-winning single - without retiring a batter.