Nats game blog: Nats look to continue roll vs. Braves as four-game series begins in D.C.

The Nationals return home with a chance to get on a roll against a struggling Atlanta Braves squad. The Braves are 54-79 and have lost 15 of their last 16 games. Washington comes home after going 1-2 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Nationals led 5-3 in each of the first two games of the series, only to fall 8-5 each time. But Jonathan Papelbon got out of a first-and-third, one-out jam in the bottom of the ninth as the Nationals salvaged the finale, 4-3. Ryan Zimmerman went 3-for-4 with two homers, a double, two runs and three RBIs. His 200th home run gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead and his double provided the 4-3 advantage they were able to hold on to and win. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is 6-2 with a 2.59 ERA against the Braves in 14 career starts. He has won three starts in a row and is 6-3 at home this season. Right-hander Matt Wisler is 5-5 with a 5.22 ERA but has lost his last four decisions. His last win was July 26 at St. Louis. He beat the Nationals 4-1 on July 1, allowing one hit in 5 1/3 innings with five walks and six strikeouts. The Nationals are 9-3 against the Braves this season and 6-0 at Nationals Park vs. Atlanta. Freddie Freeman is back in the Braves lineup against the Nationals. He is hitting .340 in 79 games against the Nationals with 23 doubles, one triple, nine homers and 44 RBIs. Zimmerman has hit .275 in 575 career at-bats against Atlanta with 20 homers and 88 RBIs.