by David O'Brien; Staff , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Prado hit .577 (15-for-26) with nine extra-base hits and six RBIs in six games, beginning with the four-hit, four-RBI performance against Philadelphia on June 30 that won him the starting second-base job.

"Crazy week," said Prado, 25. "It's something I'll never forget."

Prado had four-hit game Sunday at Washington, matching the career best he set five days earlier against Philadelphia.

In his past 12 games before Monday, he hit .512 (22-for-43) to raise his average from .261 to .329, supplanting second baseman Kelly Johnson along the way.

Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton said he wasn't too surprised by Prado's production in a regular role.

"This kid has always been able to hit," he said. "Can he be this good? Who knows? He doesn't even know.

"At times in the past, I think he's lost confidence in his offensive ability and I've told him: 'There's one thing you can do and that's hit. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.' "

Francoeur sits again

Jeff Francoeur was out of the Braves lineup for Monday's series opener against the Cubs, the third consecutive game the right fielder was benched while hotter-hitting teammates Matt Diaz and Garret Anderson manned the corner-outfield positions.

"I don't make the lineups, so I just do the best I can to be ready," said Francoeur, who until Sunday had not missed consecutive starts since his 2005 rookie season (other than a three-game demotion to the minors last season).

Manager Bobby Cox said he would try to get Francoeur back in today.

Diaz made his third consecutive start in right, with Anderson in left.

Francoeur hit .244 with five homers and 33 RBIs before Monday, and his .277 on-base percentage was tied for the fourth-lowest among NL regulars.

"Of course I want to play," he said. "I'm not happy about it. But I can't do anything about it. Like I said, I don't make the lineups out.

"I've got all the confidence in the world; I know I can play. Sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to. . . . Just have to be patient and wait my turn, whether it's here or somewhere else. I don't control that."

Hudson vs. hitters

Tim Hudson took another step in his elbow-surgery rehab Monday when he faced Braves hitters in an early afternoon round of batting practice at Wrigley Field.

"I'm still not where I want to be arm-strength wise, but it feels pretty good," said Hudson, who threw 20-25 pitches. "I'm happy where I'm at with a month-and-a-half [to go]."

That's the tentative timetable for his return, 12 months after he underwent ligament-transplant surgery. He's scheduled to make his first minor-league rehab start in two weeks.

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