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Nats try to continue success behind Zimmermann vs. Braves

Sep 9, 2014 - 2:47 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Nationals have won each of Jordan Zimmermann's last seven starts and will try to make it eight in a row Tuesday versus the Atlanta Braves.

Zimmermann has a 2.30 earned run average in his past seven outings and he is coming off last Wednesday's 8-5 win at Los Angeles, charged with two runs across 6 1/3 innings for a no-decision. Zimmermann is 10-5 with a 2.93 ERA on the season and 5-2 in 15 home starts.

The right-hander has made nine career starts against the Braves, going 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA. Zimmermann is winless (0-1) in two starts against the Braves this season.

Doug Fister didn't have a problem with the Braves in Monday's 2-1 series- opening victory and fired seven shutout innings. He allowed just two runs with three strikeouts and three walks.

Anthony Rendon and Ian Desmond both drove in a run and Adam LaRoche collected two hits for the Nationals, who extended their lead over the Braves in the NL East to eight games and have won two straight after losing three of four games.

"We still have a lot of baseball to play against some really good teams," said Desmond. "We just have to keep our focus up and see how things turn out."

Desmond is right because the Nationals close out the regular season against teams from the NL East (24 in a row).

Washington has the highest winning percentage in the National League (.570).

Atlanta may have given up on winning a division title, but is still only 1 1/2 games out of a wild card spot.

The Braves fell short last night in DC and starting pitcher Mike Minor pitched well once again in a losing cause. Minor allowed both runs in six innings of work, scattered seven hits and struck out three batters with two walks.

Freddie Freeman had two hits and drove in the lone run for Atlanta, losers in five of the last seven games.

"These guys are not giving up," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. "We got guys who are hitting the ball hard and are making plays in the field, but it's just not happening for us right now."

Gonzalez's club has a 1-3 mark on a nine-game road trip and is on the road for three of the final four weekends of the season.

Ervin Santana tries to reach the 15-win mark for the first time since 2010 (17-10 with Angels) when he toes the rubber for Atlanta tonight. Santana is 14-7 with a 3.61 earned run average and has won nine of his last 11 decisions, including Wednesday's 7-4 win over Philadelphia.

Santana gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings versus the Phillies. In 13 starts on the road this season, Santana is 4-5 with a 3.73 ERA. The right-hander has made six career starts against the Nationals, going 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. Santana has made 20 starts at night this season and has a 10-5 record in that time.

Atlanta is 9-5 against Washington this season.