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Smoltz, Braves look to ride momentum of comeback win

Sep 7, 2007 - 2:07 PM Washington (62-77) at Atlanta (71-69) 7:35 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Atlanta Braves look to ride the momentum of an improbable comeback win as they open a three-game series with the Washington Nationals on Friday.

The Braves trailed the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-2, entering the eighth inning on Wednesday, but scored seven times in the final two frames to post a 9-8 win. Matt Diaz's three-run double with two outs in the ninth capped the amazing rally.

Despite the remarkable comeback, Atlanta is still facing a major uphill battle. The Braves trail the New York Mets (78-61) by 7 1/2 games in the National League East and are 5 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres (76-63) in the wild card.

John Smoltz (12-7, 3.09 ERA) looks to help Atlanta beat Washington for the eighth time in 13 meetings this season. The future Hall of Famer allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings of a 3-2 loss to New York on Sunday.

Smoltz should rebound against the Nationals, as the righthander is 19-11 with a 2.63 ERA in 38 career starts against the franchise formerly known as the Montreal Expos. Smoltz has also beaten Cincinnati 19 times, which is the most wins he has over any team. This season, he is 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA vs. Washington.

Rookie John Hanrahan (4-2, 5.14) gets the ball for the Nationals, who have won five straight after completing a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins on Wednesday. Hanrahan has allowed three runs or less in all but one of his seven career starts.