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Braves go for series win vs. Nationals

Sep 7, 2008 - 12:45 PM Washington (55-88) at Atlanta (62-81) 1:35 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves will look to bounce back and earn a series win when they take on the Washington Nationals in the season finale between the teams on Sunday.

After wins in the first two games of this series, Atlanta tied Saturday's matchup at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth when Kelly Johnson laced a bases-loaded ground-rule double to right center. The game-winning run, which would have scored if the ball stayed in the park, was left stranded on third and the Nationals rallied for three runs in the 10th en route to an 8-5 win.

Jo-Jo Reyes (3-10, 5.49) gets the start for the Braves, looking to snap a personal six-game losing streak.

The lefthander is 0-6 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 appearances - nine starts - since his last win on June 13. In his last two starts against Washington, Reyes has allowed 10 runs and 15 hits in just 6 1/3 innings.

Washington counters with rookie Collin Balester (3-6, 4.75), who had a solid outing in his last time out against Atlanta.

Balester, 22, went seven innings, allowing four runs, six hits and three walks while tying a season-high with five strikeouts, but did not earn the decision in the Nationals 8-4 win on August 31.

Despite losses in the first two games of the series, Washington owns a 11-6 edge in the season series.