Newton Citizen

ATLANTA - Tommy Hanson isn't worried about how many innings he pitches as long as he can keep helping the Braves win.

Hanson gave up two runs in six innings for his third straight win and Ryan Church hit a three-run double in a six-run third inning that lifted the Atlanta Braves past Max Scherzer and the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-4 on Monday.

Hanson (8-2) gave up six hits and did not walk a batter for his second straight start. The right-hander struck out seven. He has thrown 146 innings this season, including 661/3 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett before his June 7 promotion to Atlanta. His previous high was 138 innings in the minors last year.

Hanson said he hasn't tracked his innings count this year.

'I couldn't even tell you where I'm at,' Hanson said. 'I'm not even sure.'

Hanson said he feels strong, and the results back up his claim. His ERA is 3.05, and he has allowed no more than two runs in nine of his 13 starts with Atlanta, including each of his three starts in August.

'I still feel strong and everything feels good,' he said. 'Hopefully if I can just keep going like I have been everything will be fine.'

Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer, his 38th, off Boone Logan in the seventh, but he had a single and two strikeouts against Hanson.

'My first impression is he'll probably be around for a long time,' Reynolds said. 'He has good stuff. He spots his fastball well. He had a good slider and curveball. He throws it where he wants it.'

Stephen Drew hit a fifth-inning homer off Hanson.

Arizona manager A.J. Hinch called Hanson 'a pretty impressive pitcher.'