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Jones, Braves seek sixth straight win

Apr 22, 2008 - 1:21 PM Washington (5-15) at Atlanta (10-9) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Chipper Jones will try to extend his 13-game hitting streak as the Atlanta Braves go for their sixth consecutive victory against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

Questionable with an injured quadriceps before the game, Jones went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk in Monday's 7-3 victory over Washington in the opener of this two-game set.

Jones leads the National League with a .453 batting average and 19 RBI this season. The 35-year-old slugger also has six home runs.

John Smoltz (3-0, 0.56 ERA) is also looking to continue his excellent start. The veteran righthander picked up his third straight win to start the season on Thursday, tossing five scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts during an 8-0 triumph over the Florida Marlins.

The Braves have not lost a nine-inning game at home this season, going 7-2 at Turner Field with both losses coming in extra innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Nationals, who have lost 15 of their last 17 contests since opening the campaign with three straight wins, will send lefthander John Lannan (0-2, 4.86) to the mound.

Lannan is coming off his best outing of the season, but did not receive a decision in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the New York Mets. He allowed a run and three hits with 11 strikeouts.