Washington Nationals (58-103) at Atlanta Braves (86-75), 1:35 p.m.

Sports Network | October 4, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals will try to end their 2009 season on a seven-game winning streak this afternoon, when they shoot for a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

The Nationals posted their sixth win in a row on Saturday, as Justin Maxwell belted a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning for a 6-4 victory. Ian Desmond also homered and Ryan Zimmerman ended with three hits and an RBI for Washington, which got five shutout innings from starter Ross Detwiler.

Zack Segovia posted the win despite surrendering a pair of runs and three hits in the 10th inning, and Logan Kensing earned his first save of the season with a scoreless bottom of the 11th inning. Washington's lone playoff appearance was when the Montreal Expos reached the postseason in 1981.

Rookie J.D. Martin gets the call for the Nationals today and is 5-4 with a 4.69 ERA in 14 starts. Martin is 2-0 in his last five starts with back-to-back no-decisions and previously took the mound in a 4-3 victory versus the New York Mets.

Martin held the Mets to three runs over six innings. The righty will now face Atlanta for the first time.

The Braves will miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year and have lost five straight games. Jair Jurrjens fired eight innings of two-run ball with nine K's for the no-decision yesterday, and Manny Acosta permitted Maxwell's blast in the 11th to absorb the loss.

"Typical start for him (Jurrjens)," said Atlanta manager Bobby Cox. "He pitched well, we played well, we just couldn't get the big hit."

Brian McCann had two hits and two RBI, while Greg Norton drove in a run for Atlanta, which got a pair of hits out of Nate McLouth.

Tim Hudson will close out his season Sunday and is 2-1 with a 4.08 earned run average in six starts. Hudson came back on September 1 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and has shown no signs of trouble.

The right-hander posted a no-decision the previous time out on Tuesday in a 5-4 loss versus Florida. Hudson was reached for four runs and seven hits in five innings of work. He will face Washington for the 13th time in his career and is 8-1 lifetime with a 1.57 ERA in this series.

Hudson is 0-1 in three home starts this season.

The Braves had won five straight over Washington before Thursday's loss, but have still won 10 of the 17 meetings in 2009.