Washington Nationals (57-103) at Atlanta Braves (86-74), 4:10 p.m.

Sports Network | October 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals shoot for their sixth consecutive win tonight, when they continue a four-game series against the NL East-foe Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Washington posted its fifth straight win since a four-game slide with Friday's 6-3 victory over the Braves thanks to Ian Desmond, who tripled, homered and drove in three runs. Desmond also scored twice, while Alberto Gonzalez and Elijah Dukes were both credited with an RBI in the win.

Livan Hernandez earned the win for the Nats and allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings of work. Mike MacDougal struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning for his 20th save of the season.

"We got to finish strong and take everything from now to next year," Hernandez said after the game.

Hoping to finish strong for the Nationals tonight will be starting pitcher Ross Detwiler. Detwiler is 1-6 with a 5.35 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) this season and won his last outing on Monday versus the New York Mets. He held them to a run and seven hits in six innings of a 2-1 victory.

The lefty is 0-0 with a 10.38 ERA in two career games (1 start) against the Braves, spanning only 4 1/3 innings.

Atlanta has lost four in a row since a seven-game winning streak. In Friday's three-run loss to the Nationals, Martin Prado had four hits, Omar Infante chipped in three and David Ross drove in two runs in defeat.

Braves starter Derek Lowe fell to 15-10 on the year after he was reached for six runs -- five earned -- in 4 2/3 innings.

"It's not a huge feat, but you still want to come in second instead of third (in the division)," Lowe said in reference to Atlanta's second-place tie with the Florida Marlins in the NL East standings.

Jair Jurrjens takes the hill for the Braves Saturday and has won four straight starts, including a September 28 victory over Florida. Jurrjens fired seven shutout innings to lift his record to 14-10 in 33 chances. The righty is 2-1 with a 3.13 earned run average in six career starts against the Nationals.

The Braves had won five straight over Washington before Thursday's loss, but have still won 10 of the 16 meetings in 2009.