Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2013 ) Atlanta 0, Washington 4

Denard Span is wrapping up his first season in the National League with a flourish and he is helping drive the Washington Nationals’ late-season surge. The Nationals host NL East-leader Atlanta in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday and while it may be too late for Washington to catch the Braves, the Nationals have won 13 of 16 to move within 4 1/2 games of the final NL wild-card spot. Span went 1-for-4 in the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader, extending his hitting streak to 28 games - longest in the majors this season.

Atlanta is stumbling through September, losing 10 of 16 games - including a doubleheader sweep Tuesday - as the Nationals have cut the Braves’ lead from 15 games Sept. 3 to eight. The Braves’ hot-and-cold offense is struggling mightily, scoring two runs or fewer in four of their past seven games. The Braves are hitting .223 in September and have been shut out twice in their last three contests.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Alex Wood (3-3, 3.45 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Ross Ohlendorf (4-0, 3.15)

The Braves skipped Wood’s last turn in the rotation, hoping to give the rookie a break after a miserable start to September. The 22-year-old has a 14.14 ERA in two starts this month, lasting seven innings while allowing 11 runs on 17 hits. He pitched 6 1/3 innings of one-run, five-hit ball Aug. 16 against the Nationals.

Ohlendorf missed three weeks in August with right shoulder inflammation, but has made four starts (five appearances) since being activated, going 2-0 with a 5.31 ERA. He beat the Phillies on Friday, allowing one run on five hits while replacing Stephen Strasburg (right forearm tightness). The 31-year-old is 0-1 with an 8.38 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta P Craig Kimbrel’s streak of 37 consecutive save opportunities ended with a thud in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader when he blew a two-run lead by allowing three runs (two earned), one hit and two walks.

2. Span is hitting .378 during his hitting streak, raising his average from .258 to .283.

3. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman drove in his 100th run in Game 1 Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Nationals 4