Nationals set for rubber match with Braves

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Nationals look to build on an improbable rally and pick up a much-needed series victory on Wednesday night when they play the final contest of a three-game set with the rival Atlanta Braves.

An 8-4 loss in Monday's opener stretched the Nationals' losing streak to six straight games and they appeared well on their way to another setback when they trailed last night's contest 9-1 after just two innings.

However, Washington chipped away and Dan Uggla's three-run homer in the ninth inning against his former club propelled the Nats to an incredible 13-12 win. His go-ahead blast off Braves closer Jason Grilli was his first homer as a National and one of 32 combined hits in the game between the NL East rivals. He knocked in five runs.

"We were down so much and we kept coming back," Uggla said after knocking in five runs in all. "This ballpark is a pretty special place to me."

Denard Span had a career high-tying five hits, including a solo home run that knocked Braves starter Julio Teheran out of the game in the sixth inning. Span, who scored four times, led off three different innings with hits. Jose Lobaton added a three-run blast in the victory.

Freddie Freeman and A.J. Pierzynski fueled Atlanta's offense with four hits apiece. Freeman scored three times and Pierzynski drove in four runs, but Atlanta lost for the sixth time in eight games.

"At the end, you can see that it was a bad outing," Teheran said. "This is one bad game."

Getting the call tonight for the Nationals with a chance at a series win will be Jordan Zimmermann, who is 1-2 with a 5.23 earned run average.

Zimmermann avoided a third straight losing start with a no-decision at Miami on Friday. The righty limited the Marlins to a pair of runs on six hits over six innings, striking out four without giving up a walk in his club's 3-2 loss.

Zimmermann is 4-2 lifetime against the Braves with a 2.93 ERA in 10 starts.

Atlanta's Alex Wood takes the mound tonight having not gotten a decision since his season-opening win over Miami on April 7.

The left-handed Wood is coming off a no-decision in Philadelphia on Friday in which he logged 5 2/3 scoreless innings. However, the Braves lost 1-0 when the Phillies scored in the ninth inning.

Wood, who has a 3.00 ERA on the year, is 3-1 lifetime versus the Nats with a 1.49 ERA in six starts. He has held Washington to six runs and four homers over 36 1/3 innings, striking out 44.

The Braves went 11-8 against the Nats last season.