Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2012 ) Atlanta 1, Washington 4

The Atlanta Braves' ability to hit in the clutch has disappeared, and their hopes of catching Washington in the National League East have just about evaporated, too. The Braves have dropped the first two games of a three-game showdown series, thanks in large part to hitting just 3-for-25 with runners in scoring position in a pair of losses that have pushed the Nationals’ division lead to a season-high seven games.

The Nationals lead the majors in ERA (3.25) and opponents’ batting average (.232), and have smothered Atlanta’s offense at a critical juncture to the season. Should the Braves salvage the final game of the three-game series Wednesday, Washington still would hold a six-game lead in the East. The Braves hold the top spot in the NL wild card standings but have lost as many games in the past four days as they did in their previous 13 contests.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), MASN (Washington).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta RH Kris Medlen (4-1, 2.03 ERA) vs. Washington LH Ross Detwiler (7-5, 3.25).

Medlen has been outstanding since moving into the Atlanta rotation, going 3-0 in four starts and striking out 22 hitters in 25 2/3 innings. He fired his first career complete game in his last start, holding San Diego to five hits in a shutout with no walks and six strikeouts.

Like most Washington pitchers, Detwiler has been tough on opposing offenses. He has surrendered just nine earned runs in his past 24 2/3 innings. He is 1-0 in three starts against the Braves this season, allowing eight earned runs in 18 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington OF Bryce Harper is hitting .163 (8-for-49) in his past 14 games with 17 strikeouts. Harper struck out four times Tuesday.

2. Atlanta OF Jason Heyward had three hits Tuesday and is 12-for-28 (.428) in his past seven games.

3. Braves 2B Dan Uggla is three hits shy of 1,000 for his career.