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Nationals hold on to beat Braves, end slump

Apr 13, 2008 - 10:38 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Nothing comes easy for the Washington Nationals.

Jon Rauch worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning as the Nationals held on for a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday to snap a nine-game losing streak.

Rauch relieved closer Chad Cordero and needed only one pitch to get Brian McCann to fly out to right field.

"In that situation, you just want to give him a ball to put into play and hope the guys behind you pick you up," Rauch said.

"I should have gone up the middle or gone the other way," McCann added. "I tried to pull it. It's tough for me. I should have come through in that situation."

Rauch's short outing preserved the win for Tim Redding (2-1), who allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

"It's a lot easier going to New York with a one-game winning streak than a 10-game losing streak," Washington manager Manny Acta said.

Redding has been one of Washington's few bright spots early in the season, winning two of the Nationals' four games.

"I was average at best," Redding said. "I didn't feel like I had my best stuff today. I had a lot of counts 2-2, 3-2, which is something I wasn't doing in my first two starts."

Called on to protect a one-run lead, Cordero got two outs before walking Yunel Escobar and giving up a double to Chipper Jones. Cordero left after intentionally walking Mark Teixeira with a base open.

"I thought they were going to ease me into it but I was ready for it," said Cordero, who was activated from the disabled list on Saturday.

"I would have liked to stay in there and tried to get the last out but Manny felt we had a better chance (using Rauch) against McCann. That's fine, but I would have liked to stay out there. My arm felt fine."

Atlanta got some bad news when 42-year-old Tom Glavine (0-1) left with a strained right hamstring after failing to retire a batter. He was charged with two runs, giving up three hits and a walk.

"I don't recall Tommy ever coming out of a game for anything," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "It's too bad. We got some runs for him today."

It marked only the second time in 672 career starts that Glavine failed to record an out. The other one came on May 16, 1989 against the Chicago Cubs.

"It's the first time I've ever had a leg or a hammy," Glavine said. "I will not know how it is until I get out there and throw, which will most likely be Tuesday."

After scoring twice in the first inning, the Nationals stretched their lead to 4-0 in the second, when Jeff Bennett walked in a pair of runs.

Redding and the Nationals appeared to be in control after Aaron Boone's RBI single in the third made it 5-0.

But Redding tired in the sixth as the Braves pulled within 5-3 on Jones' two-run homer and Jeff Francoeur's sacrifice fly. Francoeur went 0-for-2 after driving in a career-high seven runs on Saturday.

Atlanta made it 5-4 in the eighth when Francoeur scored on a two-base fielding error by left fielder Wily Mo Pena.