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Washington tries to stay on track vs. Atlanta

Sat 30th, August 2008

(Sports Network) - The Nationals have had the Braves number this season. Washington will try to win a season-high fifth straight game tonight and defeat Atlanta for a fourth straight time as well in the continuation of a three-game series at Nationals Park.

Washington defeated Atlanta, 7-3, on Friday to win its fourth straight contest for a third time this year, having also done so from April 27-May 1 and August 1-4. The victory also improved the Nationals to 8-4 against the Braves this year.

The club is 10-26 against the rest of the National League East.

Ryan Zimmerman and Lastings Milledge each drove in two runs, and Emilio Bonifacio went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored to extend Washington's winning streak, with each of the last four wins coming at home. The Nationals had lost six straight as the hosting club prior to this run.

Washington's win streak comes as the club continues to give playing time to its younger players. Bonifacio, 23, is hitting .391 (9-for-23) over his last six games, while the 23-year-old Zimmerman has five hits, four RBI and four runs scored over his last three games.

Greg Norton belted a two-run homer for the Braves, who have dropped three of five and 14 of their last 18 games. Chipper Jones went 1-for-3, dropping his average to a still MLB-best .358.

With injuries to John Smoltz (shoulder), Tim Hudson (elbow) and Tom Glavine (elbow/shoulder), Atlanta's starting staff has struggled for a majority of the season. Tonight, the Braves send a hurler to the hill that hasn't posted a victory since June 13.

Jo-Jo Reyes has lost his last six decisions while shuffling between the Braves rotation and the minors. He returned to the club on August 19 and got a no- decision versus the Mets, but then lost to St. Louis on Sunday after allowing six runs (5 earned) on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings. He also walked four in that one, giving him 15 free passes issued over his last four outings.

The 23-year-old lefty is 3-10 with a 5.34 earned run average in 18 games this year, all but one of those starts. He faced the Nats for the first time on July 20 and gave up six runs on seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings of a 15-6 loss.

Jason Bergmann counters for the Nationals and is just 1-2 with a 5.96 ERA in his last five starts. He lost to the Cubs on Sunday, getting tagged for four runs on four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. That dropped the righty to 2-10 on the year with a 4.56 ERA.

Bergmann is 4-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 15 games (7 starts) in his career versus the Braves. He has yet to start against them this season, facing them twice in relief.