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Nationals-Braves Preview

Oct 1, 2009 - 4:54 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Washington (54-103) at Atlanta (86-71), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Braves ran closer to postseason elimination in their last contest. Facing the Washington Nationals could at least help them finish strong.

Trying to bounce back from a stunning loss, the Braves look to continue their dominance over the Nationals on Thursday night at Turner Field.

Clinging to its faint postseason hopes, Atlanta (86-72) dropped a second straight contest after winning seven in a row, 5-4 to Florida on Wednesday.

The Braves struck out 16 times against Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco and Matt Diaz was thrown out trying to scamper back to third base following a pitch in the dirt with the bases loaded to end the game.

"I've never felt this bad about a play," Diaz said. "It's a sinking feeling knowing you cost these guys."

Atlanta, which was eliminated from the NL East race Wednesday, is four games behind wild-card leader Colorado with four to play.

"Since I've been up here, we've been playing really well," Atlanta's scheduled starter Tommy Hanson said. "Hopefully, we keep winning games and get lucky."

Adam LaRoche drove in two runs and is batting .347 with 40 RBIs in 53 games since being traded to Atlanta. He's 7 for 17 with three homers and seven RBIs in his last five against Washington.

Now, Atlanta will try for a sixth consecutive win over Washington (53-103). The Braves are 10-4 against the Nationals this season, including 5-0 at Turner Field. The Nationals come in after rallying for a 7-4 win Wednesday to conclude a three-game sweep of the New York Mets.

After Javier Vazquez struggled Wednesday, Hanson (11-4, 2.98 ERA) hopes to help the club rebound when he makes his second straight start against the Nationals.

A candidate for NL rookie of the year, Hanson allowed four runs, four hits and struck out seven in seven innings to earn the victory in an 11-5 win at Washington on Saturday.

The right-hander, who's 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in three starts versus Washington, is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in his last five outings overall.

Hanson outpitched Washington's Garrett Mock (3-10, 5.91) in his last start and will oppose him again.

Mock, who's 3-8 with a 5.72 ERA in 14 starts this season, allowed six runs - four earned - and seven hits with four walks in five innings during his only previous start versus the Braves last weekend.

The right-hander is 0-5 with a 7.03 ERA in six starts since winning at Chicago on Aug. 25.

Outfielder Justin Maxwell's game-winning grand slam highlighted a five-run ninth Wednesday for the Nationals, who will finish with more than 100 losses for a second straight season.

"We haven't been playing that well this year, but this kind of pushes us forward going into next year," said Maxwell, who went 3 for 5 in the series with the Mets. "Definitely a nice memory."

Ryan Zimmerman added to his career high with his 33rd homer. Despite batting .222 in his last 11 games, the All-Star third baseman has two home runs and 10 RBIs against the Braves this season.