(Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers' offense possesses both the American League's top hitter for average and power. However, the team could be minus one of those threats tonight, when it plays the second portion of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.

Though seven games off the pace in the AL West, the rebuilding Rangers are at .500 (36-36) thanks to a mighty offense. Milton Bradley leads the AL with a .330 average, while Josh Hamilton is tops in the league with 19 homers to go along with an MLB-best 74 RBI.

Bradley had a two-run single in the third inning in Tuesday's 7-5 victory over the Braves, but also suffered a strained left quadriceps on the play. Though the injury isn't considered serious, Bradley will evaluated again today and is questionable for the game. If he does play, it will likely be as the designated hitter.

Marlon Byrd homered for Texas, while Hamilton hit his 19th long ball of the season in the first inning and also scored twice to back a solid effort from Vicente Padilla.

Padilla (9-3) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on two hits over six innings to help give Texas its fifth win in eight games.

Meanwhile, Tim Hudson (7-5) was roughed up for six runs on six hits in just 4 1/3 frames for Atlanta, which had won three of four coming in.

Brian McCann finished 2-for-4 and almost got Hudson off the hook with a three- run homer in the eighth inning that pulled Atlanta within 7-5. Omar Infante hit a solo shot in the loss.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones went 0-for-2 to drop his batting average to .400.

Mark Teixeira, who spent four-plus seasons with the Rangers before being traded to Atlanta last summer, made his first return trip to Rangers Ballpark and went 0-for-2 with an RBI.

Atlanta continues to struggle on the road, as it fell to 3-5 on its four-city, 10-game trek and is 10-26 overall as the visiting club this year. On the other hand, the Braves are 25-11 at home this season.

The Braves bullpen will get a boost today, as the club is expected to activate left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez from the disabled list. Gonzalez has not been active since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, but could make a run at Atlanta's closer role.

Manny Acosta and Rafael Soriano are each tied for the Braves' lead in saves with three. However, Soriano is currently on the disabled list due to right elbow inflammation, while Acosta has a 4.41 earned run average. Gonzalez, meanwhile, saved 24 games with Pittsburgh in 2006 while posting a 2.17 ERA.

But first, Jo-Jo Reyes will have to get to Atlanta's bullpen. Tonight's starter for Atlanta halted a three-decision skid by defeating the Angels on Friday. Reyes gave up two runs on five hits over eight innings in what was the longest outing of his career.

The left-hander, who is 3-4 with a 4.42 ERA this year, picked up his first win since May 18, also an interleague game versus Oakland. He faces Texas for the first time tonight.

Texas' Eric Hurley makes his second career start tonight. He faced the Royals on the road on Thursday and didn't get a decision after allowing four runs on six hits over six innings, giving up his runs on a pair of two-run homers. The 22-year-old also fanned three without a walk.

The right-hander, drafted with the 30th overall pick in 2004, was 2-5 with a 5.30 ERA in 13 starts in Triple-A Oklahoma before joining the Rangers.

These two clubs last met in Arlington in 2005, with the Rangers winning two of three. The Braves did sweep a three-game series in Texas in 2002, however.