The Atlanta Braves (28-25) have likely had just about enough of the Washington Nationals (30-21) already this season, in particular the arms on the mound that continue to dominate the Braves bats. A day after Stephen Strasbug shut down Atlanta 2-0, co-ace of the Washington rotation Gio Gonzalez will take the mound, looking to win his sixth consecutive start.
The Nationals have taken six straight games from Atlanta, four this season. In those six games, the Nationals have outscored the Braves 31-11. Overall, Atlanta has lost nine of their last 11 games to fall six games behind Washington in the NL East standings.
Gonzalez (7-1, 2.04 ERA) will be facing an Atlanta ballclub he defeated just one week ago, 7-2 at Turner Field. In that start, Gonzalez went seven strong innings, striking out ten and allowing just two runs on one hit and three walks.
Tommy Hanson (5-4, 3.84 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta. Hanson is 4-2 with a 2.41 ERA this season in seven road starts. He has not fared well recently, however, against the Nationals, compiling an 0-3 record with a 4.73 ERA in his last five starts against Washington.
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