Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2011 ) Atlanta 3, Washington 5

THE STORY: The inability to beat the lower division teams in the National League East continues to haunt the Atlanta Braves, who play the second of a three-game series against Washington on Tuesday at Nationals Park. The Braves are 5-4 against the last-place Nationals, and only 15-13 against Washington, New York and Florida. Washington has won three straight and sends John Lannan, who has fared well against the Braves this season, to the mound Tuesday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Derek Lowe (6-9, 4.52 ERA) vs. Nationals LH John Lannan (7-7, 3.63).

Lowe has lost three of his last four decisions, including a 5-2 game to the Pirates which saw him return from a one-hour rain delay and allow the two deciding runs. Lowe has allowed seven walks and 14 hits in his last two starts, which both lasted five innings. Lowe is 9-7 with a 3.66 ERA in 19 career starts against the Nationals. He is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against Washington this season, including a 5 2/3 inning scoreless stint on Opening Day. Lannan is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts against the Braves this season. He has won two of his last three decisions overall, but is coming off a 5-2 loss to Florida when he allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. Walks have been a problem - he has allowed four in each of the last three starts. Lannan has made 35 appearances (13 starts) against Atlanta, going 7-4 with a 3.24 ERA.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (63-47): Newly acquired Michael Bourn has hit safely in 13 of 14 games against the Nationals. With his leadoff single Monday, Bourn is 7-for-19 against Washington. Dan Uggla extended his hitting streak to 23 games with a pair of solo homers, the fourth time he’s kept the streak alive via a home run. Uggla has ten homers and 20 RBIs during the streak. Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16, but Martin Prado’s streak ended at five. Anthony Varvaro has made two relief appearances since being recalled from Triple A Gwinnett and has eight strikeouts in four innings.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (52-56): Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 10 games thanks to a generous scoring decision. Zimmerman was credited with an infield single, even though Dan Uggla’s throw wasn’t close to the bag and landed in the Nationals dugout. Rick Ankiel had the fifth multi-home run game of his career Monday and hit a home run to lead off a game for the first time. Michael Morse has three consecutive multi-hit games and is 6-for-11 during that stretch.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta put reliever Scott Linebrink on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain. Linebrink is 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 42 2/3 innings.