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RHP Smoltz looks for fourth straight win vs. Washington

May 14, 2007 - 1:56 PM Atlanta (25-13) at Washington (12-25) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - John Smoltz seeks his fourth straight win when he takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a four-game series against the Washington Nationals on Monday.

One day shy of his 40th birtday, Smoltz (5-1, 3.25 ERA) hase been outstanding this season. The righthander has pitched into the sixth inning in all eight of his starts.

Smoltz beat the Nationals on April 17 after allowing four runs - two earned - and six hits over six innings. He is 18-10 in his career against the Washington-Montreal franchise.

The Braves had a five-game winning streak stopped with Sunday's 13-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

Despite pitching well, Jason Bergmann (0-3, 3.07) aims for his first win of the season for the Nationals. The righthander has been a victim of poor run support with the Nationals scoring a total of 18 runs in his seven starts.

Bergmann gave up just one hit over six scoreless innings but did not factor in the decision when he faced the Braves on April 12.

Washington enters this contest in the midst of a season-high three-game winning streak following a sweep of Florida over the weekend.