The Atlanta Braves' lineup is struggling through its worst slump of the season. The Florida Marlins, meanwhile, can thank a surge at the plate for their recent success.

In need of some timely hits, the Braves look to avoid a third straight loss Thursday night when they conclude a two-game set with the Marlins.

Atlanta (10-11) is struggling following a season-best five-game winning streak, scoring a total of two runs over its last two games. The Braves have gone 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position while leaving 21 runners on base in that span.

"Timely hitting isn't there right now," Atlanta center fielder Mark Kotsay told the team's official Web site. "Sometimes it comes in cycles. When you're losing, there's more of an emphasis put on what you do with runners in scoring position."

Atlanta collected 12 hits but fell 7-2 to Florida (13-8) on Wednesday night. Mark Teixeira went 2-for-5 for the Braves, but left five runners on.

The Marlins, meanwhile, have won four of their last five, scoring six runs or more in each of their victories during that span.

Mike Jacobs hit a two-run homer and Hanley Ramirez added a solo shot to help Florida open this series with a win. It was the seventh home run for each player. Ramirez's leadoff home run was his second of the season and 17th of his career.

Ramirez is batting .349 with 17 RBIs and six stolen bases on the season.

Jacobs, meanwhile, already is 10 homers shy of matching his total from last season.

"I don't think it's much of a story. If I stay healthy and get the at-bats, the numbers will be there," said Jacobs, who missed five weeks with a fractured right thumb last season. "I played through injuries the last two years."

Now, Jacobs and the Marlins' lineup will face Chuck James (1-1, 7.88 ERA), who is filling in for injured veteran Tom Glavine. The left-hander was recalled from Triple-A Richmond on Friday night and pitched well the next day, allowing one run and four hits in five innings as Atlanta beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1.

James is getting another shot in the rotation after a terrible first start, surrendering six runs and five hits in three innings as Atlanta lost 12-6 to Colorado on April 9. He was brought along carefully during spring training after being diagnosed during the offseason with a partially torn rotator cuff, and made his first start of the season sooner than expected after Mike Hampton went on the disabled list.

But James, who won 11 games each of the past two seasons, looked good in one start at Richmond and showed progress against the Dodgers.

Florida, meanwhile, hopes rookie Burke Badenhop (0-1, 7.00 ERA) can settle down after giving up seven runs in eight innings during his first two career starts. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed three runs and four hits in three innings as Florida beat Washington 6-5 on Saturday night.

This will be Badenhop's first appearance against the Braves.