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Braves go for three straight wins

Sep 6, 2008 - 10:25 AM Washington (54-88) at Atlanta (62-80) 7:10 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- After going nearly a month without winning consecutive games, the Atlanta Braves will look to push their winning streak to three on Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

One of the most disappointing teams in the National League, the Braves entered the current series 5-18 since winning three straight against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second week of August.

But the Nationals have yet to threaten through two games, going down by a combined 12-5. Atlanta put seven runs up in the third inning of Friday's 10-5 win, capped by rookie Brandon Jones' three-run double.

Washington owns the worst record in baseball, one-half game behind the San Diego Padres (54-87).

The Braves will send fragile Mike Hampton (2-2, 5.67 ERA) to the mound. The veteran lefthander has pitched well of late, going 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA of his past four starts.

Hampton, who missed over two years with a variety of ailments, allowed three runs and six hits in six innings against Florida on Monday.

The Nationals will counter with righthander Tim Redding (10-8, 4.55). The 30-year-old has won each of his last two starts, allowing three earned runs in each outing.

Redding was crushed by Atlanta on July 18, allowing six runs in four innings to suffer a loss.