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Jones, Braves look to take rubber match vs. Nationals

Sep 16, 2007 - 2:07 PM Atlanta (75-73) at Washington (66-82) 1:35 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Chipper Jones hopes his hot bat will help the Atlanta Braves successfully close out their series with the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Jones is 14-of-32 (.438) with four home runs and 12 RBI over his last eight games. On the season, the 35-year-old third baseman is batting .334 with 26 homers and 91 RBI.

Despite hitting a three-run homer on Saturday, Jones could not help the Braves prevent the Nationals from snapping their three-game losing streak, 7-4.

Atlanta will send Tim Hudson (15-8, 3.48 ERA) to the mound. Hudson has enjoyed a lot of success against Washington this season, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.86 ERA. The righthander has 20 strikeouts to just two walks against the division foe this year.

The Nationals will counter with righthander Shawn Hill (4-3, 2.87), who is coming off his first win since his return from the disabled list. The 26-year-old Canadian gave up two runs - one earned - and six hits with four strikeouts over six frames in a 5-4 triumph over the Florida Marlins on Monday.