Tim Hudson pitched six scoreless innings before tiring and drove in two runs, leading the Braves past the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Monday night for Atlanta's fifth straight win. The Braves have allowed only six runs during their winning streak, which pushed them above .500 for the first time this season at 10-9.
Washington keeps falling farther and farther back in the NL East race. The Nationals lost their third in a row and have dropped 15 of 17 since starting the season with three straight wins. Matt Chico (0-4) lasted only four innings, giving up six runs and eight hits. He walked Hudson in the third with the bases loaded, one of several miscues. (More MLB stories.)