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Nationals go for fourth straight against Braves

Aug 29, 2008 - 10:33 AM Atlanta (59-75) at Washington (48-85) 7:35 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- After losing five straight series, a return home proved to be what the Washington Nationals needed.

They will look to continue the momentum of a series sweep when they take on the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Prior to a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Nationals had dropped 14-of-16, including six straight at home. They followed a pair of one-run victories on Tuesday and Wednesday with an 11-2 win over the Dodgers on Thursday, highlighted by Cristian Guzman hitting for the cycle and a pair of home runs by Elijah Dukes.

The Nationals are looking to tie a season-high with four consecutive wins. They also won four straight April 27-May 1 and August 1-4.

Washington starter Odalis Perez (5-10, 4.21) will look to snap a three-start winless streak. The veteran lefthander is 1-5 at home despite a stellar 2.54 ERA.

Part of the problem has been run support, as the Nationals are averaging less than three runs a game in Perez's home starts, having not scored more than five runs in any of his 12 starts at Nationals Park.

The Braves counter with Jorge Campillo (7-6, 3.37), who has struggled of late as well. The 30-year-old is 1-2 in his last four starts, posting a 7.04 ERA.

Atlanta took 2-of-3 from the Florida Marlins this week after dropping 12-of-14. The series win was their first since the Braves took 3-of-4 from the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 7-10.